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Disney CEO Bob Chapek says Star India is a shining example
MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Co CEO Bob Chapek is extremely bullish on Star India which it acquired as a part of its Fox acquisition. During the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference in the US on 2 March, Chapek said, “Star India has so much there, to unwind and unpack. From a broadcaster’s standpoint it is India’s number one broadcaster. India is one of the few markets in the world where TV viewing is actually up.”
He added that under Star, Disney has the leading sports portfolio, which is critically important, and a leading content engine under FoxStar Studios.
“On top of this you layer on the Hotstar business that has got 17,000 hours of original programming every year, that is fantastic and we believe it is the ultimate streaming destination in south east Asia and in India. We are pleased with the way the business has unfolded in south east Asia and India,” he explained.
He was quite confident that Hotstar would scale from 30 million to 100 million paid subs by 2024, pointing out to the investment in programming that the company is making. “But at the same time you also realise that south east and India is a very unique market. We have got distribution relationships with Jio in India and Telekomsel in Indonesia. But it does not end here: the product localisations are absolutely critical here because there’s low broadband speeds and it is a mobile first market. It's not a one size fits all. India is a shining example of the need to be unique and cater to that market.”
Play it again, Bob. Say it again!
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.
