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Turner International’s Soumitra Saha moves to Asia
MUMBAI: Another Indian has moved up the global corporate ladder! Soumitra Saha has been promoted to vice president-regional entertainment, advertising and sales, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia Pacific (TENA), announced TENA senior vice president advertising sales Jennifer Fletcher. Soumitra was previously Turner International India (TIIPL) vice president of advertising and sales .
In his new role, Saha will be relocating to the network’s regional headquarters in Hong Kong and will directly oversee advertising revenue generation for Cartoon Network’s India, Taiwan, Philippines and South East Asia feeds, states an official press release.
Saha will also be tasked with developing strategies for expanding TENA’ business across Asia Pacific. As TIIPL vice president, advertising and sales, Saha was responsible for Turner India’s ad sales teams and successfully managed and developed advertising revenues for Cartoon Network, TCM Turner Classic Movies, CNN and HBO across the country.
Saha was also actively involved in all research based strategic decisions. He commenced his career with Turner as director of research, based in Mumbai, in August 2000. He was involved with overseeing and developing sales strategy and training Turner’s in house ad sales teams in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.
Prior to joining Turner, Saha worked with IMRB (Indian Market Research Bureau) for five and half years, in the media and panel research division, working expansively on media research projects, specifically related to television.
During his tenure at IMRB, Saha was also deeply involved with the national TV audience measurement services and was the senior project director of TAM Media Research, a joint venture between ACNielson and Kantar (IMRB).
Launched in the Asia Pacific in 1994, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS) Cartoon Network draws from the world’s largest cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles. The network also showcases original series including Courage the Cowardly Dog, Dexter’s Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Grim & Evil, I Am Weasel, Johnny Bravo, Mike Lu & Og, Samurai Jack, Sheep in the Big City, Time Squad and The Powerpuff Girls under the Cartoon Cartoons banner.
A release claims that Cartoon Network has emerged as one of the most popular entertainment channels among kids and is currently seen in over 26 million cable homes in the region. TBS Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
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.
