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Aveek Sarkar upbeat over 74% stake in Star
NEW DELHI: For the suave bhadralok from Kolkata, the always immaculately dhoti and kurta clad Aveek Sarkar, it’s a “big achievement” to have managed to pick up 74 per cent holding in Star News’ controlling company in India, Media Content Communications Services India Pvt Ltd (MCCS).
“It’s a great day for an Indian media company and it’s also in line with the plans of our own company,” Sarkar told indiantelevision.com this evening in an informal chat while waiting to make a “courtesy call” on India’s information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and some ministry officials here in Delhi.
When this reporter introduced himself to Sarkar saying that the media industry is well-acquainted with indiantelevision.com, that included Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea, who was standing beside the Indian media baron, Sarkar shot back jokingly, “I hope you have not been giving him a (Mukerjea) tough time?”
ABP lawyers, a representative from Ambit Finance, which structured the deal for ABP, and Star India’s business development head Kaushal Dalal were amongst others who accompanied Sarkar and Mukerjea on the rounds of various government offices in the Capital.
Though Sarkar politely turned down a request for a full-fledged interview, he did answer some quick questions on Star News and the probability of News Corp/Star doing a return investment in ABP’s bid to start editions of The Telegraph from Delhi and/or Mumbai, which is considered the stronghold of The Times of India.
According to Sarkar, the involvement with the Star News venture is “different” from what his company had dabbled in during the last decade in the form of a TV production house, Bazaar TV, which had to be closed down as it was not making much headway.
“That venture and experience (Bazaar TV) was different and this (Star News) is different,” Sarkar candidly said, adding, “Star News is a more serious business (venture).”
He also said that the full composition of the board of MCCS has not yet been decided as the nitty-gritties would take some more time to be ironed out.
Asked whether Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, either directly or indirectly through some Star entities, would invest in ABP’s core business area of print publishing, Sarkar looked heavenward saying, “Not that I know of.”
He, however, did not confirm or deny when asked of ABP’s plans to launch a Delhi and Mumbai edition in the near future. Still, media circles are well aware of the fact that Sarkar always has had dreams of bringing The Telegraph to Delhi to give it a true national character.
Sarkar also did not disclose the source of funding – internal accrual or term-loans or any other financial instrument – which has enabled ABP to cough up a sizeable amount of money for a 74 per cent share in the MCCS pie.
Sarkar may have been tight-lipped in front of the media, but during his interaction with various government officials, he is learnt to have said that MCCS and its shareholders would be watch with interest to see whether the government’s handling of other cases relating to news channels and FDI (notably CNBC TV 18, Zee News and NDTV) is “even handed.”
Meanwhile, a senior I&B ministry official admitted that the government would look into all cases of FDI or foreign investment relating to news channel as minutely as it has been done in the case of Star News and MCCS.
The I&B ministry is yet to give a go-ahead to a proposal by NDTV to infuse investment from a finance arm of Stanchart bank. Unless the ministry gives the green signal, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) would find it difficult to give the final nod to the proposal.
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.
