GECs
Senior level changes effected in DD News
NEW DELHI: This festive season, changes are taking place thick and fast in media organisations. If Zee Telefilms made changes in its hierarchy, the country’s biggest broadcasting outfit, Prasar Bharati too did not want to be left behind on the Christmas eve.
According to sources in Prasar Bharati – which oversees pubcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) – Swagat Ghosh, the additional director-general in charge of DD News, has been shunted out. He has been transferred to a low-profile Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity, an organisation under the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry.
Sources say, the once upon a time blue-eyed boy of the I&B ministry, Sanjiv Dutta, has replaced Ghosh. New inductees in DD News – like Aaj Tak’s former political editor Deepak Chaurasia – who recently joined the channel would report to him.
Chaurasia is the consulting editor of DD News from the time of its relaunch on 3 November, 2003 and is credited with having made DD News fighting fit.
Another change that has been effected in DD News is that of Muthukumar, a senior person in the news outfit. He has been transferred to another ministry, which would be, in all probability, the finance ministry.
All the changes are with immediate effect. However, the reason for Ghosh and Muthukumar’s departure from DD News is still not clear as the I&B ministry officials were not available to put the movements into perspective.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
