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ABP’s CEO Avinash Pandey wins ‘Media Person of the Year’: IAA Leadership Awards
Mumbai: ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey has been honoured with the ‘Media Person of the Year Award’ by the IAA Leadership Awards in Mumbai for his outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence in marketing, advertising and media.
Pandey is a strong advocate for responsible journalism and has been instrumental in setting high standards for the news industry in India.
Commenting on this recognition, Pandey said, “Running a media business is no less complex and challenging than any other large business. We are lucky to see tectonic shifts in technology and media consumption habits. With the change in the way media is consumed, we are on our toes all the time, not to race for the ratings but to serve our audiences in a way that makes this country much better than what we inherited. It is a great honour for me to be recognised as the Media Person of the Year by the IAA. This award is a recognition for the ABP Network team that I am proud of.”
He is presently serving as the vice president of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA). He has also been a member of several committees, including the media & entertainment committee of FICCI, and handles the chairmanship of the national council on entertainment and media-Assocham.
Having served the ABP Group since 2005 in various roles, Pandey donned the mantle of CEO of ABP Network in January 2019. He steered the transformation of the channel from Star News to ABP News in 2012, along with the rebranding and repositioning in 2020. Additionally, he has led the charge in advancing the Indian regional languages, particularly on digital platforms.
With over 26 years of experience in the media industry, he is a true specialist who has made immense contributions in people’s perception of news as his body of work was synonymous to ethical journalism. His path breaking innovations in the media broadcasting domain has provided top notch content that received overwhelming response from the audiences and industry experts alike.
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.
