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NDTV to snap up GoodTimes channel in Rs 18 crore slump sale
NEW DELHI: New Delhi Television has approved the purchase of the GoodTimes channel from Lifestyle & Media Broadcasting in a slump sale valued at up to Rs 18 crore, a move that deepens its push into lifestyle broadcasting. The transaction will be funded through a mix of cash and television advertising inventory and is structured on a cash-free, debt-free basis. NDTV made this known through a regulatory filing on the Bombay stock exchange last weekend.
GoodTimes, a fixture for fashion, food, travel and entertainment programming, will shift to NDTV as a going concern. Because Lifestyle & Media Broadcasting is a joint venture of NDTV, the deal qualifies as a related-party transaction, though the broadcaster emphasised that it is being executed on an arm’s-length basis and backed by an independent valuation from a registered valuer. NDTV added that its promoters and group companies hold no direct stake in the seller beyond any indirect shareholding.
Completion is subject to routine corporate and regulatory clearances, including approval from the ministry of information and broadcasting for the transfer of the channel licence. NDTV expects the process to close within roughly three months.
Executives say the acquisition aligns with NDTV’s long-term growth strategy, broadening its content portfolio and operational reach. The company believes folding GoodTimes into its network will strengthen its brand presence, diversify revenue streams and enhance value for shareholders as competition in India’s broadcasting market heats up.
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.
