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Pine Labs appoints Sameer Kamath as CFO ahead of IPO; Shalini Saxena returns as General Counsel
Mumbai: IPO-bound Pine Labs has announced two key leadership appointments ahead of its planned public offering: Sameer Kamath is set to join as chief financial officer, while Shalini Saxena returns
as general counsel. The announcement follows closely on the heels of the company’s draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 27 June.
Kamath, currently group CFO at Avendus Capital, brings over two decades of financial leadership experience. He previously served as CFO at Motilal Oswal. He replaces Marc Mathenz, who stepped down in June shortly before the DRHP was filed.
Saxena re-joins Pine Labs after her tenure as legal head at CoinDCX. She had earlier served as general counsel at Pine Labs from 2019 to 2022. Her return signals renewed legal leadership focus as the company navigates regulatory and compliance processes tied to its public listing.
Pine Labs’ senior leadership team now includes:
Amrish Rau, chief executive officer
Kush Mehra, chief business officer
Sumit Chopra, chief operating officer
Navin Chandani, chief business officer – issuing business
The Gurugram-based fintech firm is looking to raise Rs 2,600 crore via a combination of fresh equity issue and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 147.8 million shares. Pine Labs is reportedly seeking a valuation in the range of $4.5–5 billion. Key shareholders include Peak XV Partners, Mastercard, PayPal, and Actis.
The appointments place Pine Labs alongside a growing cohort of Indian startups accelerating towards public markets-a signal of rising maturity within the country’s fintech and technology sectors.
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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.
