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Network18 appoints Vijay Sanil as CEO – language cluster, TV news
MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Network18 on Wednesday announced the appointment of Vijay Sanil as CEO – language cluster. With over two decades of experience in the Media and Entertainment industry, Sanil joins News18 Network at a time when regional news is ever-growing and has made massive contributions to the network’s strength. News18 Network’s language cluster includes News18 Bangla, News18 Tamil, News18 Odia, News18 Kerala, News18 Kannada, News18 Assam & NE, News18 Lokmat and News18 Gujarati.
Sanil joined ZEEL as a Management Trainee in the year 2000 and grew through the ranks in the organization. In his journey of over 20 years at ZEEL, Sanil handled various Channels like Zee TV, Zee Cinema, & TV, & Pictures, Ten Sports, Zee Anmol, Regional Channels and HD portfolio among others. In his last role with Zee, Sanil was designated as President – Sales and was responsible for driving a significant piece of the ZEEL ad revenues.
Talking about his appointment, Sanil said, “Having been a passionate Sales Lead in Entertainment, Cinema & Sports genre, this opportunity opens a completely new chapter – News genre & a holistic perspective of Business. Truly excited to lead News18’s regional news mandate to build an aggressive growth plan for the company in this rapidly evolving ecosystem and also, be part of a process of building a future-ready News network by creating new and sustainable connect nodes with audience & business fraternity”.
Sanil holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Chetna College, Mumbai. He will be based in Mumbai and report to Network18 Broadcast News CEO Avinash Kaul. Karan Abhishek Singh, who was earlier the CEO for language cluster has already taken over charge of the Hindi news cluster.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
