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Naresh Ramnath joins Pioneer Channel Factory as COO
MUMBAI: There was an itch to do more, something bigger. That’s what got Naresh Ramnath to quit his position as vice president of programming at Astro Malaysia and join Yogesh Radhakrishnan’s Pioneer Channel Factory as COO in mid April.
With two music channels in the pipeline, the company is looking at increasing its portfolio with the first in the line up being a live concert channel that will show recorded versions of live concerts by international rock, pop and jazz bands and later on will also include Indian bands. However, it won’t be restricted to just being a channel but will also be spread as a service.
“Our main aim will be to create brands that can increase the willingness to pay from viewers, advertisers and operators. Apart from this focus will also be on the digital and OTT platform,” says Ramnath speaking to indiantelevision.com. He added that the company will also be keenly looking at launching other HD channels.
Ramnath has over a decade of experience in the media industry starting off with the Zee Network and then moving on to UTV. His earlier stint was with Astro in Malaysia where he was vice president of programming for its channels for over seven years. As far as his new leaf with Pioneer Channel Factory is concerned Ramnath says, “I’ve always wanted to do something like this and it excites me!”
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.
