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Network18 appoints News X’s Karishma Dhawan
MUMBAI: The factual entertainment genre in India is witnessing several changes — revamps, channel launches and senior level movements. After hiring former Discovery Networks programming head Arun Thapar as its EVP and head of content, Network18 has appointed Karishma Dhawan as the cluster head of History TV18, FYI TV18 and international business.
In her second stint with the network, she will handle ad-sales, client servicing and sales management of the entire network.
Dhawan will report to the group’s recently appointed executive vice president of English news cluster and network sales head for north and south Priyanka Datta as well as VP of head sales for Forbes India and international business for English news channels of the network, Preeti Sahni. The two executives report to TV18 president for revenue and Forbes CEO Joy Chakraborthy.
With more than 13 years of experience of generating revenue beyond the regular vanilla advertising, she has handled brands such as HT City, Indian Express, Radio City, Trav Talk and CNN IBN, etc. She has also handled concept sales on profit and generated revenue through organising events, media partnerships and AFPs, and integrations.
Prior to taking this role, she was with NewsX as the sales head since March 2016. She handled the national responsibility for all the regional sales team (revenue, sales grooming, hiring etc.)
She was hired as the assistant VP and regional head of HistoryTV18 in April 2013. In her tenure of around three years with the group, Dhawan was responsible for revenue generation as well as grooming and creating next level managers.
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.
