News Headline
Sahara corp comm head Prriya Raj quits
MUMBAI: Sahara Media & Entertainment Network Vice President (Publicity, Promotions and PR) Prriya Raj has put in his papers citing ‘personal reasons’.
Raj, also a well-known management cartoonist, had been with Sahara from early 2001. He was instrumental in injecting the launch of Haqeeqat and Draupadi in May 2001 with creative and media innovation as well as sustaining the same with the newsletter Sampark, DMs, posters, flyers, road shows, promotions, PR and interactive website to build the brand Sahara TV. He was also behind the much talked about tongue-in-cheek campaigns of news programmes of Sahara TV namely Chunav Sangram and Budget Mahapuran.
He was nominated for the award of PR executive of the year at the Indian Telly Awards 2002 by Indiantelevision.com.
An MBA topper from Allahabad University, Raj has earlier worked with S. Kumars as a Publicity Officer, Mitra Prakashan as All India Advertising Manager, ad agencies Mudra as Account Director and R K Swamy / BBDO as Director Client Services. He also co-promoted Momentum as India’s first fee-based ad agency and worked with www.123india.com as an advisor.
He has two books to his credit – ‘Under The Pyramid’ (IBH / 1998) and ‘Counter Point’ (BPI/1999). He also contributes a regular weekly management cartoon column ‘Out Of The Box’ in the Hindu.
While he is yet to firm up his future plans, Raj says his stint at Sahara has given him valuable insights into the entertainment business. “This has surely added a new dimension to my overall experience,” he says.
About his future plans, he says : “I have not yet firmed up my plans. I need to first take a break, think afresh with a new perspective and then look at the available opportunities to finalise my next course of action.”
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.
