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Network18 strengthens digital arm with two top level appointments
MUMBAI: News18 Network’s digital arm, News18.com, has strengthened its top-level management by appointing Mitul Sangani and Amit Vichare to expand the horizons of its digital reach in Indic/regional languages.
Sangani has joined Network18 digital as business head- News18 langauges and Vichare has joined the network as national sales head for News18 languages. According to the numbers provided by the broadcaster, News18.com, recently crossed the milestone of over 100 million unique visitors in May 2018.
Sangani was previously working with Dailyhunt, where he was responsible for setting up the overall business function. He can be credited to have led Dailyhunt to becoming one of the top revenue drivers in non-English space. He has done his post-graduation in commerce with a major in marketing. He will be directly reporting to Manish Maheshwari.
Commenting on his appointment, Sangani said, “I am excited to join Network18. I believe that going forward the user growth in digital will be driven by non-English content. News18.com which is one of the top news platforms with presence across 15 Indian languages, is well positioned to ride the next wave of growth. I look forward to work with the team, to establish News18 as the most preferred source for news on digital medium in all 15 Indian languages.”
Prior to Network18, Vichare was the head of sales at Bhaskar Digital. Amit has also worked with other successful brands such as Mid-Day, Red FM and Rediff. He holds a post-graduate degree in Marketing & Advertising from Rizvi Management Institute. He will report to Sangani.
Commenting on the new appointments, Network18 digital CEO Manish Maheshwari said, “News18.com has grown from strength to strength with a record rise in readership, unique visitors and engagement. One of the strong pillars of this property is that it has reporting teams in almost every district of India. This unparalleled reach helps us in bringing news, as it happens, in 10 languages including English and Hindi. It is estimated that 75 per cent of the new internet users will be from rural India and 75 per cent of these will consume content in local languages. With the appointment of Mitul and Amit, we are gearing up to tap these upcoming opportunities in Indic languages.”
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.
