News Headline
Network18 appoints Sanjeev Agrawal as Homeshop18 CEO
MUMBAI: In order to strengthen its leadership and business, Network 18 has appointed Sanjeev Agrawal as CEO of Homeshop 18 with effect from 4 May, 2015.
He will be based in Noida.
Homeshop18 founder and CEO Sundeep Malhotra will mentor Agrawal over the next several months while Malhotra transitions to another entrepreneurial opportunity within or outside RIL retail.
Network18 group CEO AP Parigi said, “On behalf of the Board of the Homeshop18 and our valued partners SAIF, GS Home Shopping and OCP Asia – I wish to place on record the outstanding contributions made by Sundeep in establishing Homeshop18 as one of the India’s premium brands. I am delighted to welcome Sanjeev Agrawal to the Network18 Group. I wish him every success in his new role.”
Malhotra added, “It’s been an amazing nine year journey and I feel privileged and blessed to have got this opportunity to not just build an outstanding business but to have worked alongside some of the finest colleagues, talent, investors and associates, without whose help this journey would not have been possible. Homeshop18 is today the undisputed market leader in the TV shopping genre and I wish Sanjeev and the entire team all the very best for the future.”
Agrawal said, “Homeshop18 is a pioneer in its field and has a unique business model. Full credit to Sundeep and team to have built this business. Both the consumer and the industry are evolving at a rapid pace. I see Homeshop18 at the forefront of driving this change and maximising the opportunity. I am excited to be a part of this journey.”
Agrawal comes with over 26 years of experience across FMCG, fashion and retail sector. He has held senior leadership positions at Future Value retail and Pantaloon Retail besides his FMCG stints at Balsara, Revlon, P&G, Godrej and HLL. In his last assignment he was managing director at Skechers South Asia.
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.
