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Ajit Varghese joins Disney Star as network advertising sales head
Mumbai: Disney Star has appointed Ajit Varghese as head of network advertising sales.
He will be responsible for the overall advertising revenues of Disney Star’s television and digital businesses, as well as driving growth through transformative sales and channel strategies, alliance formation, and business development.
Varghese will also create the long-term vision and define the sales organisation’s strategic direction. He will report to Disney Star’s president and country manager K Madhavan.
Varghese comes to Disney Star from ShareChat and Moj, where he was chief commercial officer, in charge of monetisation, marketing efforts, and content partnerships. Prior to joining ShareChat, Varghese was the global president of Wavemaker, a WPP group media agency, overseeing business operations and driving growth across 50+ markets from London; before that, he spent three years as the CEO of Maxus (WPP) in Singapore. He has also worked with Madison World, Kantar IMRB, and Initiative Universal Media.
“Varghese is a highly respected and well-regarded professional within the advertising and marketing fraternity. I am confident that under his leadership, we will be able to unlock significant value and create more opportunities to further grow our market leadership,” said Madhavan.
Varghese has established himself as a highly accomplished leader as CEO of regional and global agencies during his more than 27-year career in the advertising and marketing industry. In previous roles, he has driven publisher growth and revenue, led large-scale business transformations for clients, and built diverse businesses in media, creative, digital, data, content, sports, and performance.
“The advertising market in India has already crossed Rs 1,00,000 crore and is expected to be among the fastest growing in the world this year. This, combined with Disney Star’s status as the country’s leading media & entertainment company, allows for tremendous opportunities by which we can create ground-breaking solutions to drive growth for our clients. I keenly look forward to being a part of a great company, best-in-class content and a superb team,” said Varghese.
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.
