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Network 18 appoints Pankaj Mishra as Group Editor
MUMBAI: Network 18 has appointed Pankaj Mishra as the group editor for coverage of the new economy, technology and startups.
Mishra will work across platforms, breaking big exclusives with his team on television and Moneycontrol. He will bring a startup investing dimension to Moneycontrol Pro and create world-class editorial events which will be hosted across platforms.
Mishra is being joined in this new mission by Sunny Sen, a prolific writer of agenda-setting stories, and Anand Murali, whose understanding of startups is second to none. Sunny and Anand were fellow adventurers with Mishra at FactorDaily.
Mishra joined Network 18 from FactorDaily, a new-age media startup he founded over three years ago.
At FactorDaily, Mishra and his team became known for agenda-setting and deep technology and startup stories. Mishra brings all his entrepreneurial learning and inputs from inside India's startup ecosystem to help create impact for Network 18.
Earlier, in his assignments at The Economic Times and Mint, Mishra built and led technology and startup teams. He was also the India editor for TechCrunch. Mishra believes in combining unique stories and content with design, technology, community engagement and distribution for building valuable media products. He loves traveling, mostly by train, and meeting people. Over past two years, Mishra has also been producing a weekly podcast called Outliers. He recorded the 100th episode last month with AR Rahman.
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.
