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Discovery appoints Tanna as VP – S Asia; Dua to head M&A
MUMBAI: In line with its ambition to expand and accelerate growth in India through new investment and leadership, Discovery Networks has appointed Vikram Tanna as Vice President, Head of Advertising Sales and Business Head of Regional Clusters, South Asia. The current product suite has 11 unique content channels in the factual and lifestyle genres. Tanna takes over from Karamjit Dua who moves into a new role as head of new business and mergers and acquisitions in line with Discovery’s focus on inorganic growth opportunities in both linear and channel business with immediate effect.
Tanna will be based out of Mumbai and will report to Karan Bajaj, SVP and GM-South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific. Tanna will further strengthen the company’s efforts towards building engaged local audience franchises and re-instate its omni-channel platform play.
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific SVP & GM-South Asia Karan Bajaj said, “India is a high-priority market for us and we have very aggressive growth ambitions here as we look to future-proof our business and build a broader product eco-system. I am thrilled to have someone of the calibre of Vikram Tanna joining our team. He brings the relevant product and revenue experience and strategic planning ability that will be integral to our efforts in re-defining our ad sales, improving workflow and growing our business nationally and across regional clusters.”
An industry veteran, Tanna brings with him over two decades of experience spanning the broadcast, gaming and online industries. Tanna joins from Star India where was the Senior Vice President leading Product & Revenue strategy for three of the major channel clusters- Hindi Movies & Music and HSM Regional Channels (West Bengal & Maharashtra). He has grown in various roles at Star from heading revenue for Channel V, Star Digital & V Events. Prior to which, Tanna was the revenue lead for Zapak Digital Entertainment that operated the online gaming portal. Earlier in his career, he worked with MTV for two years and with Star Movies and Star World.
Tanna has done MBA in marketing from Mumbai University and is a visiting faculty at management institutes in Mumbai.
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.
