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Twitterati get active post-Raghav Bahl’s departure from Network18
MUMBAI: On a day which saw Network18’s founder Raghav Bahl announce his exit from the group he founded, netizens took to twitter to express themselves.
Nimbus Sport promoter Harish Thawani lucidly put it in his tweet. “Sad to see Raghav Bahl leave the pitch. 1 of the original band of Indian pros turned entrepreneur. Inspired us & made all of us proud.”
Bahl’s close associate and CNN-IBN editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted: @Raghav_Bahl a visionary leader who built a great network. And gave the freedom to journalists to stay true to the profession.
Rajdeep’s spouse and CNN-IBN prime time anchor Sagharika Gose who hosts the show, ‘Face the People’ called Raghav both encouraging and a dreamer tweeting, “Salute @Raghav_Bahl deeply committed to excellence, always encouraging, both dreamer and doer, you built a formidable network”.
The network which has seen many high profile exits, both at the editorial and managerial level, had former CNN-IBN anchor and deputy foreign affairs editor Suhasini Haidar tweeting, “Founders of Network18 @Raghav_Bahl and @kapur_ritu announce their exit from all channels. As their farewell note says “God Bless Network18”
Sports journalist Gaurav Kalra who quit Network18 earlier this year to become senior editor of ESPN Cricinfo had this to say. “as he exits network 18, my sincere gratitude to @Raghav_Bahl for giving so many of us a platform to work freely, without fear or favour.”
Rajdeep’s former colleague and NDTV group editor Barkha Dutt came out in support of Mukesh Ambani’s acqusition of the Bahl media empire. Said she in her tweet: “Globally too Big Media models built on money from State or Corporates. (Think Al Jazeera, NBC, or SKY). What’s important is disclosure.”
Her colleague at NDTV and Mumbai bureau head Sreenivasan Jain was not as accepting. He expressed his angst about the development. He tweeted: “Buying news channels is not like buying a shale gas field. Needs assurances – internal and public – of safeguarding of editorial freedoms.”
He further went on to punch the following tweet to twitter: “The question is not simply of corporate ownership of media. It’s the manner and circumstances in which ownership changes hands.”
Economist and well known columnist Ajit Ranade tweeted, “Across his Network he ran a “reform agenda” blitzkrieg in run-up to elections. Now, he’s saying goodbye.”
Senior journalist and commentator Madhvan Narayanan decided to remind us of where it all started. His tweet read: “Raghav Bahl quits Network18 after selling the media empire he founded about 20 years ago to RIL. 18 = Number of people in his startup team.”
But providing the icing on the cake was twitter fanatic Ramesh Srivats – he of the shiny pate – who in his inimitable style made us smile even at a time of glum faces at Network18 following a rash of departures and exits. Tweeted he: “Raghav Bahl exits Network 18. I thoroughly empathise with the network. I also have no Bahl.”
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.
