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Jagran TV seeks foreign investment
NEW DELHI: Jagran TV Pvt. Ltd, part of the Rs 5 billion Kanpur-based Jagran Prakashan, which publishes Dainik Jagran newspaper, has decided to offload about 25 per cent stake in its TV venture to a Mauritius-based fund.
The television company, which manages the affairs of the recently-launched Hindi news channel, called Channel 7, has applied to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) seeking permission for this foreign investment.
According to government sources, Jagran TV Pvt Ltd is seeking permission to offload 25.7 per cent equity stake to New Vernon Bharat Ltd, a Mauritius based fund.
The size of the deal is approximately Rs 300 million. FIPB is yet to take a view on this proposal that is aiming to bring in additional investment in the TV venture, which has been started with an initial investment of about Rs 700 million.
According to Indian government guidelines, news channels uplinking from this country cannot offload more than 26 per cent equity stake to foreign companies or investors.
Channel 7 from the media group Jagran went formally on air early April, promising different treatment to its programming tilted towards non-fiction and hopped on to a DTH platform at the same time to increase its reach, which is supplemented by the cable networks it is managing to ride on.
The launch of Channel 7 marks the entry of Dainik Jagran, a dominant print medium player, into the TV broadcasting arena. The free-to-air Hindi satellite channel is also confident of securing a presence in 28 million households, across 300 cities in the first month of operations itself.
The promoters of the channel include Mahendra Mohan Gupta, managing editor and chairman Jagran Prakashan Pvt Ltd and MD Jagran TV; Sanjay Gupta, editor and director Jagran Prakashan Pvt Ltd and Shailesh Gupta, director, marketing, Jagran Prakashan Pvt Ltd.
The Jagran group, according to media reports, is also believed to be planning a foray into the den of another print medium powerhouse, Dainik Bhaskar, in Madhya Pradesh.
Jagran Prakashan has already roped in a foreign partner for the newspaper business, announced earlier. The foreign investor is The Irish Independent, which picked up a 26 per cent stake in the Indian media company.
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.
