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Bernice Chu is National Geographic Ventures VP business development
MUMBAI: National Geographic Ventures (NGV) has named Bernice Chu as VP of business development. Bringing more than 10 years of legal and entertainment business experience, Chu will report to NGV COO and president distribution Edward Prince.
In this newly created position, Chu will take on the responsibilities of leading the analysis, negotiation and closure of domestic and international business transactions for broadcast, cable, home video, DVD, Internet, IPTV and broadband, from development through distribution. She also will work closely with Prince on overall strategy and business development for the division.
Prince says, Over the past few years, there has been significant growth and change in the digital space and the emergence of our entertainment group. Bernice will be a great asset in helping both the entertainment and digital media divisions extend the National Geographic brand into a wider array of entertainment businesses and take advantage of new opportunities in the digital marketplace.
Prior to joining National Geographic, Chu served as vice president of business and legal affairs for Playboy. She oversaw the day-to-day business and legal affairs for international entertainment. Before that, Chu was a director of business and legal affairs with Twentieth Century Fox, serving both at Fox International Entertainment Channels and Fox Latin American Channels where she was responsible for the business and legal affairs group supporting distribution of Twentieths channel assets.
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.
