News Headline
B. Sai Kumar departs from Network18
MUMBAI: People movements continue to dog the Network18 group. The latest to head towards the door is group CEO B. Sai Kumar who spent close to 14 years with Network18, founded by Raghav Bahl. Sai had ably stepped into Haresh Chawla’s shoes when the latter decided to go his own way in his entrepreneurial forays.
A notice to the Bombay Stock Exchange states that Sai Kumar was with the group during its formative years and that he was responsible for the creation and management of the group’s various ventures – the business news partnership with CNBC ; the general news partnership with CNN; the entertainment partnership with Viacom and the infotainment deal with A+E Networks and the group’s digital forays.
Sai Kumar’s departure comes at a time when the group has reported turnaround financials just yesterday.
The BSE notice quotes Sai Kumar as saying: “Network18 has been an extension of my family. I take with me very good memories and I will always cherish the time spent here. It has been a tremendous learning ground. Passion and hard work – they brought to work everyday. While all good things come to an end, I see it as a new beginning and I am positive and hopeful that Network18 scales new heights hereon.”
Added Network18 founder and editor Raghav Bahl in the BSE release: “It’s not easy to describe Sai’s role and contribution to the group. He has been one of the key pillars of the Network18 story. I am truly privileged to have been able to work with someone like Sai who has given the prime of his life to group and development of a baby called Network18, right from the days when it was a fledgling single channel operation to its evolution as one of India’s largest and most diversified and respected media companies. We shall miss him; but there comes a time when one takes heed to one’s calling and I wish Sai all the best for that.”
The news has indeed come as a shocker to many in the industry. Amongst those who have put in their papers over the past year include: IBN18 CEO Dilip Venkatraman, CNBC TV18’s Udayan Mukherji, CNN-IBN’s Suhasini Haider.
Dilip was recently replaced by former Times Television head Avinash Kaul.
But the group has senior talent aplenty with the likes of Viacom18 CEO Sudhanshu Vats; Colors CEO Raj Nayak, Indiacast CEO Anuj Gandhi, and Network18 COO Ajay Chacko.
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.
