News Headline
Balaji Tele Q2 net profit surges 131%
MUMBAI: Soap factory Balaji Telefilms’ second quarter net profit has surged 130.8 per cent to Rs 152.88 million from Rs 66.24 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
Total income has increased from Rs 241.48 million to Rs 489.88 million.
The company board declared an interim dividend of Rs 1.50 per share (75% on an equity share of par value of Rs 2), Balaji said in a statement issued today.
The company’s net sales or income from operations stood at Rs 489.6 million as against Rs 236.2 million in the Q2 of 2001, the statement said.
For the first half year ended 30 September, net profit stood at Rs 279.7 million as against Rs 115.6 million in the same period of the previous year and net sales were at Rs 887.3 million over Rs 472.7 million in H1 of 2001.
Earnings per share rose from Rs 6.43 to Rs 14.84, an increase of 130.80 per cent, realisation per hour was up from Rs 680,000 to Rs 1.14 mn, an increase of 67.65 per cent, operating profit margins from 39.91 per cent to 50.92 per cent, while net profit margins increased from 28.04 per cent to 31.22 per cent, the statement said.
Commenting on the company’s performance, Shobha Kapoor managing director and CEO was quoted as saying: “I would attribute this quarter’s stellar performance to the team work and quality of content produced by us. Our efforts to de-risk and scale up the business model have started delivering results even in a tough business environment. We are continuing our investments in infrastructure and building robust systems within the organization to further consolidate Balaji’s position in the industry.”
Among the operational highlights the company listed were:
* The fresh programming hours increase from 344.50 hrs to 429.50 hours, an increase of 24.67 per cent.
* The share of commissioned programming in the revenues has gone up from 68 per cent to 90 per cent.
* Increased focus on commissioned and regional segment of business.
* Rates of serials on Star Plus revised upwards.
* Weekend Program Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat launched during the quarter on Sony TV sustained on TRP charts, creating a new weekend slot despite strong competition from other channels.
* Balaji’s programming continues to dominate 16 of the top 20 programmes in Hindi cable & satellite channels.
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
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.








