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ABP News elevates Avinash Pandey as CEO
MUMBAI: Avinash Pandey has been elevated as the chief executive officer of ABP News effective from 2 January 2019. Pandey is at the helm of the organization as the COO of ABP News and has been instrumental in growth of network over the last 5 years.
Commenting on his appointment as CEO, Pandey said, “I am delighted and thankful to the Board of Directors of ANN for bestowing such faith in me. ABP News has been consistently setting benchmarks in the media and entertainment industry for innovation and growth in India, which is one of the world’s fastest growing markets.The convergence of telecom, media and technology is one of the major drivers of the industry and India’s media ecosystem has reached an inflection point. Am looking forward to taking the channels to the next level in these exciting times.”
An HBS graduate and post graduate in History, Avinash has over two decades of experience in news media, advertising, sales, distribution, marketing, and content creation. He has been with ANN since 2005, guiding the growth of advertising revenue and playing a key role in the expansion of the network's reach over the past decade.
Commenting on the appointment, ABP Pvt. Ltd MD and CEO D.D. Purkayastha said, “Avinash has rendered invaluable services during the past 13 years of tenure in the organization.Wishing him success in the new role.We are proud of our success and look forward to the next chapter of growth under Avinash’sdynamic leadership.”
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.
