News Headline
IBF rejigs board; appoints VPs to steer key objectives
MUMBAI: The board of directors of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has unanimously appointed Siddharth Jain, Rajat Sharma, Sudhanshu Vats and K Madhavan as the vice-presidents to broadbase and liaise with the government and other stakeholders for the sectoral growth.
Turner International India Pvt Ltd South Asia SVP and MD Siddharth Jain will be the VP for distribution. India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma shall oversee government affairs in his role as the VP of the foundation. Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats would be VP—audience measurement and Asianet communications MD K Madhavan will be spearheading the regional affairs portfolio.
India Today Group chairman and editor-in-chief Aroon Purie shall continue as the treasurer of the foundation till the next AGM.
In the 19th annual general meeting of IBF held on 31 August 2018, the members unanimously elected Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi S Vempati to the board of directors of IBF. His inclusion in the board will strengthen the foundation technologically considering his prior experience in the IT sector.
With the inclusion of ABP News Networks COO Avinash Pandey, The Walt Disney Co- South Asia EVP and MD Mahesh Samat, Malayalam Communications Ltd MD and editor-in-chief John Brittas as co-opted directors on the board of the foundation, IBF is geared up to meet the sectoral challenges.
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.
