News Headline
Sadhna Broadcast seeks fresh start with name change
MUMBAI: Sadhna Broadcast Ltd a company allegedly embroiled in a significant market manipulation scandal, is seeking permission to rebrand itself as Crystal Business System Ltd following regulatory action from India’s Securities & Exchange Board (Sebi).
The company’s board recently approved the name change after receiving preliminary clearance from the registrar of companies in Delhi. The proposal now awaits shareholder approval and final regulatory permissions before taking effect.
The rebranding effort comes in the wake of a major securities fraud case that saw SEBI bar 31 entities connected to Sadhna Broadcast, including Hindi film actor Arshad Warsi, his wife Maria Goretti, and several company promoters from trading in the securities market.
Sebi’s investigation revealed a sophisticated scheme involving misleading YouTube videos that falsely claimed the company would be acquired by the Adani Group and had secured a Rs 1,100 crore contract with an American corporation. These fabricated claims triggered a buying frenzy among retail investors, with the company’s shareholder base ballooning from 2,167 to over 55,000.
While small investors purchased shares at inflated prices, company insiders and accomplices allegedly offloaded their holdings for substantial profits. Sebi impounded illegal gains totalling Rs 41.85 crore made by various entities involved in the scheme.
As recently as February 2025, one participant in the scheme, Ravindra Dahyabhai Patel, settled with SEBI by paying Rs 72.8 lakh as a settlement amount and disgorging Rs 1.9 crore in ill-gotten gains. He also accepted a six-month voluntary debarment from the securities market.
The board resolution for the name change makes no mention of the scandal or regulatory actions, presenting the rebranding as a routine corporate matter requiring amendments to the company’s memorandum and articles of association.
The company continues to be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSEI), though the proposed name change will require additional approvals from these exchanges before implementation.
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.
