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Network18 strengthens revenue team; Joy Chakraborthy hires Priyanka Datta & Preeti Sahni
MUMBAI: There’s change afoot at Television18 and Network18 following their acquisition by the Mukesh Ambani group last year. The companies saw a rash of exits close to it being taken over – and afterwards too – as executives long associated with Raghav Bahl’s team decided to move out.
But looking at the past few months, both the companies have been strengthening the senior management team. Amongst the standout hires who have come in since is Rahul Joshi as CEO (News) and editor-in-chief and he has followed up by building the team editorially with journalists and editors for the channels being roped in.
Another solid news industry resource recruited in May 2016 was Joy Chakraborthy, who came in as president revenue of TV18, allowing Joshi to concentrate more on management and editorial. Recently Joy was entrusted with further responsibility as CEO of Forbes India, thus consolidating television and the business magazine revenues under one head.
A 20 year old veteran of the media industry – with experience ranging from The Times of India group to Star India to Zee Entertainment to India Today – Joy is now building his team under him. He has brought in Priyanka Datta as executive vice president to head the English news cluster (CNBC-TV18, CNBC-TV18 Prime HD and CNN News18) and network sales head for north and south.
Another senior professional, Preeti Sahni has been appointed as vice-president to head sales for Forbes India and International business for English news channels of the network.
Says Joy: “I am pleased to welcome Priyanka and Preeti to the Network18 family. Both Priyanka and Preeti come with right learnings and experience to take on their respective mandates at Network18. Priyanka Datta comes with a well-rounded understanding of TV channels, having headed ad sales and brand solutions roles at Zee. Preeti Sahni comes with specialization in luxury and international sales, having worked on and headed senior roles with premium media brands in her earlier roles.”
Priyanka has around 20 years of experience with an exposure to sales, marketing, business management and P&L. and was last associated with Zee Entertainment for 14 years wherein she headed sales nationally for almost all channels of Zee Network as well as their Brand Solutions Cell. Her last assignment with Zee was that of Business Head of Zindagi and the FTA GEC channels.
Prior to joining Network18, Preeti was with BCCL as general manager handling the luxury and international businesses. Preeti has a vast professional repertoire in product management and sales, and is skilled in conceptual marketing and business development. Prior to BCCL, she has worked with brands like India Today, HT Media, Oracle and Scholastic.
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.
