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Rakesh Jain joins Sony Pictures Networks India as creative director
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has recently appointed Rakesh Jain as creative director. He joined the company in July 2020. Recently, he was one of the key people in launching FTA GEC Shemaroo TV during the pandemic.
He comes with over 18 years of experience in the media space where he has led the programming teams from the inception stage and has launched two successful Hindi GECs. He has also been instrumental in creating channel driver properties for Star group, Zee group, and Turner group from the broadcasting ecosystem. Jain worked as a vertical head for the commissioning team of one of the flagship channels of ZEE Network (&TV), he was responsible for shaping the content strategy of the channel. His main task was to identify the viewing needs of consumers and shaping stories and content to meet their expectations.
Jain comes with a great experience of launching GEC channels. He earlier served as associate vice-president in &TV, and helmed the team of Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain at the time of its inception. Jain was responsible for revamp of a GEC Channel on STAR network twice.
From 2001 to 2007, Jain worked in Star Plus as the executive producer and from 2007 till the day Imagine TV shut down, he held the position of the deputy creative director. Jain, who was in Sameer Nair’s core team during the days of Imagine TV’s inception, has also worked as a creative director for JD Majethia and Aatish Kapadia’s Hats Off Productions. He had joined the studio in May 2012 and worked till August 2013
For the uninitiated Ramayan happened to be his first show on Imagine, and he went on to work with various shows like Jyoti, Chandragupta Maurya, Beend Banoongaa Ghodi Chadhungaa. He also worked on a show called Ganga – a family drama dealing with the prejudice against widows in one of the holiest places in India – Varanasi. Later, he took up the role of editor – vice president at Life OK in 2015.
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.
