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Star’s new ad sales structure takes effect on Monday
MUMBAI: After the recent resignation of Raj Nayak, director, advertising sales, and his number two who was operating out of Delhi senior VP Niraj Dutt, Star India has restructured its ad sales operations.
The changes become effective from Monday, 14 October, a company spokesperson confirmed.
CEO Peter Mukerjea has taken additional charge and will be heading with three vice presidents – Kevin Vaz, Joy Chakravarti and Monica Tata reporting directly to him. Going by past precedence, Mukerjea will in due course probably select one from among these three to finally head ad sales at Star.
Vaz will handle Star Plus, Star Gold and Star Vijay, Chakravarti Star News and National Geographic (which he is already in charge of), while Tata heads Star World, Star Movies and Channel V.
Three assistant vice presidents have also been promoted as VPs in the ad sales division. These three will now report to the respective departmental heads.
The question of Nayak’s status though is still hanging in the air. As things stand, his resignatioin has not been accepted and it remains to be seen whether Star enforces the service contract that it has with him. Some final decision on that may well have been taken during the meeting that the top brass and sales team had in Australia this week. Mukerjea is expected back in the country late tonight.
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.
