News Headline
The Katial Mystery: Quo Vadis?
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Is former Star India senior vice-president, programming, content and communication, Tarun Katial joining rival Sony Entertainment TV India? The buzz has been that he is.
When indiantelevision.com contacted Sony India top honchos, most of them, however, refused to confirm or deny the move, saying they were on a holiday.
Tarun Katial back in action?
But a senior executive in the company did admit today — might be the Christmas cheer was too infectious and the person didn’t want to disappoint us — that negotiations have been held with Katial.
Still, the executive added, ” Talks have been held with him (Katial), but no contractual deals have been signed yet. So, there is nothing formal and final about the whole affair.”
When Katial was contacted today, he cried off the whole issue saying that he wanted his privacy, adding that he would not like to comment on the matter.
What is more important is that this Sony executive hinted that Katial — “if and when he joins” — would do so in a senior post in the programming team of executive vice president Sunil Lulla
A story doing the rounds earlier was that Katial had been made a plum offer from Sahara India, which he did not take up even after some meetings with the senior management. Another tale has it that he is going to head a film financing fund, which would invest in good movies. A third was that he would set up shop himself in a consultative capacity to whoever wanted it in television.
The Sony story gained in credence when the executive creative director Rajesh Devraj quit last month. Industry watchers viewed his departure as a clean up of Sony’s programming operations in preparation for Katial’s
joining.
Following that, a bunch of Sony’s programming executives holed up in Sony’s Culver City’s, (California US headquarters) to plan the way forward for the network following the major successes that Jassi has notched up.
Rumour has it that Katial was very much present at these meetings, something that he denied to indiantelevision.com saying he was actually in London.
Katial would be one of the many additions and changes in the Sony India family; that is, if he finally ends up joining the company. Incidentally, Sony India has planned some big announcements to be made on or around 15 January.
According to Sony sources, some more people – mostly those who haven’t had any exposure in the media industry – would also be joining the family in the ad sales and marketing divisions. Reason being that Sony India has targeted 2004 as a year when it wants to capitalize on the success of Jassi and chart out a new growth path.
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.
