News Headline
TV9 Bangla ropes in senior journalists Anirban Choudhury and Pew Roy
Mumbai: TV9 Bangla has announced the onboarding of senior journalist Anirban Choudhury. A well-known face in the region, Choudhury will anchor the channel’s primetime 10 p.m show.
Choudhury will also manage the eastern region for News9 Plus, the soon-to-be-launched English OTT news service for the ‘GenFlix,’ said the media company. In his earlier on-air role, he has built a strong and loyal viewership for the primetime slot.
“TV9 Bangla, within a year of its launch, has already assumed the thought leadership in the region,” commented Choudhury. “I want to further enrich the proposition by bringing on board fresh ideas with a new perspective and re-attain my supremacy at the 10 pm slot. Alongside, I am excited to be part of the bold and first-of-its-kind initiative – News9 Plus.”
TV9 Bangla has also roped in senior journalist and another well-known prime-time face on Bengali news television, Pew Roy.
“TV9 Network is India’s news leader, and I am extremely proud to be a part of TV9 Bangla. I am looking forward to working with some of the best-known editors to make a credible contribution,” commented Roy.
“Having made a great start, TV9 Bangla is now gearing up for the undisputed leadership position as we enjoy in all other regional markets,” stated TV9 Network CEO Barun Das. “Anirban and Pew bring onboard invaluable editorial experience that will help us reimagining Bangla news primetime.”
“As the youngest member of India’s No 1 News Network, TV9 Bangla has always strived and met great expectations of the viewers and the management alike,” said TV9 Bangla Managing editor Amritanshu Bhattacharya. “With Anirban and Pew on board we are now undoubtedly the most formidable editorial team of Bangla news television.”
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.
