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Satellite & media veteran Vishaal Mathur returns to hometown – The Pink City
Mumbai: Vishaal Mathur, who hails from Jaipur, has been an NRI for over two decades. Last, he was settled in Singapore, where he worked with some of the leading companies, which are into satellite operations – SES, MESAT, Kacific Broadband Satellites. Not to forget well known channels like ESPN, TEN Sports, ZEE Telefilms, Bharat 24, etc.
And then struck the covid-19 pandemic. While the globe was going through a trying time, Mathur decided to move, bag and baggage, to his hometown.
Imbued with unbridled enthusiasm, Mathur was not the one to sit quietly. Setting up a charitable trust in the name of his iconic grandfather, Mathuradas Mathur, he immersed himself into lending assistance. During the most challenging times, the newly formed trust provided food, medical supplies, even oxygen concentrates to local gurudwaras, government hospitals, doctors and paramedics.
Mathur always had a passion to proactively promote the royal sport, polo, in the memory of his grandfather. A well known political figure, Late Mathuradas Mathur is a revered persona. The last three annual exhibition polo cup matches have witnessed the participation of celebrities like the present chief minister Ashok Gehlot, India TV chairman and editor in chief Rajat Sharma, HH Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar, HH Maharaja Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, chef Sanjeev Kapoor, actor and producer Sohail Khan and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
And now Mathur has launched his own consultancy venture. He has already started advising PT Telkomsat Satellite of Indonesia. Furthermore, he has also been appointed as Member Sales Representative at Asia Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC).
It would also be appropriate to add that Mathur has tremendous interest in books and authors and has organised book sessions for well known personas like Vir Sanghvi, Kabir Bedi, Divya Dutta, Tusshar Kapoor, etc. in Jaipur.
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.
