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Aidem restructures as Co-founder & Director, Vikas Khanchandani takes on a mentor’s role
MUMBAI Aidem Ventures & Zirca Digital Solutions co-founder and director Vikas Khanchandani has decided to pursue other interests while he continues to mentor across the group’s investments in the media space.
Moving forward, Alok Rakshit and Nikhil Sheth will take on the responsibility for the TV monetisation services and Joydeep Ghosh will spearhead IMD Cloud (eBus) business.
Sheth and Rakshit are integral members spearheading the TV verticals at Aidem. Ghosh has been instrumental in growing the IMD Cloud (eBus) digital delivery service – a pioneer and leader in its space with its self-serve capabilities. The company’s digital business had been spun out into a separate entity viz. Zirca Digital Solutions and has Neena Dasgupta heading the business. ZDS represents some of the largest global publishers and technology firms in the digital media space viz. MSN, Skype, Economist and Outbrain amongst others.
The management team has been strengthened with active participation of Karan Gupta, director at Aidem and MD at Zirca over the last couple of years. Gupta has been working closely with the entire management team charting the growth for the group making significant investments in India as well as South East Asia.
“While Vikas steps away from his day-to-day role, he will continue to stay involved with the company as a mentor. He will be actively involved with the media technology projects that Aidem is already invested in. Having been part of the organisation since its inception, Vikas has been responsible for driving phenomenal growth for the company and has successfully navigated the business through challenging times” said Aidem Ventures & Zirca Digital Solutions chairman Ashok Gupta .
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.
