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HomeShop18-Shop CJ merger begins to take effect
MUMBAI: When two companies decide to come together, the ramifications are felt by all concerned: internally by employees and externally by vendors and partners. That is exactly what is happening at the Network18-owned teleshopping major HomeShop18 and the previously Providence Equity-CJO Shopping-owned Shop CJ Network. The former had announced that it was acquiring a 76 per cent stake in the latter last month. Since then, the process of integration has been on to derive the benefits of the fusion.
For starters, CJ Home Shopping’s offices and studios in Mumbai are being shut down. CEO Dhruva Chandrie, who was given the option to shift to Noida, where Home Shop18 has its offices, has decided to part ways, with the caveat that should the new entity need him in Mumbai he was up for it. Former Skechers boss Sanjeev Agarwal, who has been heading Home Shop18 since 2015, will function as the interim CEO of the merged outfit.
According to sources close to the group, Chandrie is not the only one who has taken the option to discontinue. Several other employees too have decided the same. “Many executives have their families in Mumbai. Relocation is not easy so they decide to quit. Those who can are shifting to the capital,” says a source.
Sources indicate that it is the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance group, which is driving the agenda for the two home shopping ventures.
Sources indicate that the final details of the acquisition of Shop CJ by the megacorp will be out within the next week to a fortnight. Questions that arise are: will Reliance take on all the liabilities should the South Korean home shopping major abstain from doing so as it is only a 26 per cent owner? Or will it honour the liabilities in an equitable manner?
Employees refused to open up about any developments within HomeShop18 or Shop CJ Network. Chandrie could not be reached, despite efforts by indiantelevision.com to do so. Neither was Sanjeev Agarwal reachable.
For Reliance, the synergies are immense. The group has a presence in Reliance Retail and buying over the mobile, internet and television home shopping major gives HomeShop18 scale like no other home shopping channel has in India. Apart from the brick and mortar stores, it boasts of many additional outlets – online, mobile and now TV – where it can bring in economies of scale. The Reliance group has also shown that it knows how to handle media and entertainment; allow professionals to run the firms you acquire and give broad directions only. Hence, its two to three year old acquisition Viacom18 has only been going from strength to strength.
In the case of the Home Shop18-Shop CJ Network (both of which have been doing relatively poor on financials) merger, the tremors are being felt. Hopefully, when these ease, we will get to see a streamlined healthy beast.
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.
