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PIB appoints Rajesh Malhotra as principal director general
Mumbai : Rajesh Malhotra took over as principal director general of the Press Information Bureau today (PIB). Malhotra took over following the retirement of Satyendra Prakash yesterday.
Rajesh Malhotra, an Indian Information Service (IIS) Officer from 1989, had previously worked in the Ministry of Finance since January 2018.
During the critical COVID-19 Pandemic, he effectively guided the Ministry of Finance’s media and communication policy in tandem with the various AatmaNirbhar Bharat Packages announced by the government of India over time to provide relief to people and maintain economic balance.
Malhotra has over 32 years of operational experience in media and communication strategy planning and implementation for various central government ministries/departments such as finance, company affairs, agriculture, power, coal, mines, communications & IT, textiles, labour, new & renewable energy.
Furthermore, he was associated with the election commission of India as in-charge of media and communication for 21 years (1996-2017), planning and implementing media and communication strategies during the election commission’s six general elections to the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament of India), as well as several State Assembly Polls and elections for the president and VP of India. Malhotra has worked closely with 12 chief election commissioners during his tenure.
Malhotra has a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from IMT in Ghaziabad, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Media Laws from NALSAR in Hyderabad. He has also participated in a short-term course on Public Policy Analysis at the University of California, Media Management & Strategies at the Thomson Foundation in the United Kingdom, and the Programme on ‘Marketing: The Winning Concepts & Practices’ at IIM Lucknow in New Delhi. He is also a member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and has a law degree.
Malhotra has experience as a spokesperson in successfully establishing “two-way” communication channels between the government and the media. Throughout his distinguished career, he has successfully managed crisis situations in various, ministries, ensuring that only the correct perspective/information is disseminated to the media. He also has extensive experience coordinating media coverage for international conferences and events, having been a member of various ministerial delegations from India throughout his career.
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.
