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INMumbai’s bureau chief Murali Iyer puts in his papers
MUMBAI: Hinduja Group owned regional cable channel INMumbai television’s chief of bureau Murali Iyer has put in his papers. His last working day is Monday 15 September.
Iyer, who joined the channel in May 2002, was part of the business and new bureau – strategising story ideas, field reporting, administration and human resources (HR) and anchoring news bulletins. Iyer used to report to managing editor Raminder Singh who joined the channel in March 2002.
Iyer, who started his career with production house Nimbus and Doordarshan’s business programming team, has been involved with the conceptualisation of business programmes such as CEO Speak on INMumbai. This programme, a chat show with corporate head honchos, is telecast on the local cable channel on Mondays/Wednesdays at 10 pm (with repeats on Tuesday/Thursdays at 9:30 am and Wednesday/Friday at 6pm).
While speaking to indiantelevision.com, Iyer says: “I have got some lucrative offers in the media, advertising and broadcast industry. I haven’t finalised anything as yet. I feel that there is nothing more that I can contribute to the channel which has undergone rapid transformation over the last year or so. In the post-conditional access era, the channel will require more investments in terms of money, equipment and environment to make progress.”
Sources say that Lalatendu Mishra (earlier with the business bureau of The Asian Age and with Hinduja’s portal forindia.com) and Mani D’Mello (with INCablenet) are the prime contenders to replace Iyer.
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.
