News Headline
ITV Network appoints Manish Chettri as senior VP and national head SKOPE
MUMBAI: ITV Network, which runs the English news channel NewsX and a clutch of channels under India News, has appointed Manish Chettri as senior vice president and national head SKOPE.
He will be responsible for creating concepts both in the B2B and B2C space as well as contribute to the channels’ leadership position and revenue mix. Working closely with the marketing team, he will be responsible in the creation of new intellectual properties, format selling, syndications, partnerships and delivering additional solutions to existing and new advertisers.
He was earlier with Network18 as VP and national head B2B initiatives for CNBC TV18. Chettri has also worked with companies such as Hindustan Times, Times Internet, Confederation of Indian Industry, Mudra Communications and CIM India.
ITV Network MD Kartikeya Sharma said, “Manish brings to ITV network a rich combination of sales and strategic marketing that makes him ideal to scale and lead our sales force, for experiential advertising which will undoubtedly enhance ITV Network’s win velocity. Manish’s proven track record in B2B and B2C relationship building and focused revenue generation will help us build on our forward momentum and enable ITV Network to sustain this rapid growth. We look forward to leveraging Manish’s sales leadership to realise the exciting opportunity we see in front of us.”
ITV Network group CEO RK Arora reposes faith in Chettri adding value to the network and help its objective of being India’s most profitable TV network. He said, “Manish is a phenomenal addition to our leadership team and brings a tremendous wealth of experience with him. His customer-focus and in-depth experience in IP creation, B2B events, strategic alliances, brand building and sales, will strengthen ITV Network’s commitment and its objective of becoming India’s largest TV news network. I am confident that Manish will take ITV network to greater heights than it’s ever known.”
“I am excited to join ITV Network at this pivotal time,” Chettri said. “The battle for maximising revenue in the broadcasting industry is going through a sea of change wherein companies are looking at alternate forms of revenue apart from the traditional advertising sales. I look forward to using my experience to further enhance ITV Network’s performance, profitability and growth.”
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
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.








