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Uday Shankar becomes the first Indian media CEO to address the Paley Media Council
MUMBAI: India will witness a significant milestone in the history of media industry as Star India CEO Uday Shankar becomes the first Indian CEO from the media and entertainment (M&E) industry to speak at the Paley Center for media, the premier institution dedicated to advancing the understanding of media and its role across cultures and societies.
Shankar will be addressing a breakfast session, which will be moderated by Time International editor Bobby Ghosh at Paley Dialogue on 30 May in New York. He will be introduced to the distinguished guests by 21st Century Fox Co-COO James Murdoch.
The Paley Media Council is an exclusive, invitation-only membership community for entertainment, media, and technology industry executives and provides an independent forum for top industry leaders. Featuring candid conversations with the best minds in the industry, this year’s Paley Media Council will see an exclusive gathering in presence of the most distinguished guests from major American business organisations, foreign press organisations and leading social organisations.
At this global media platform, Star India CEO Uday Shankar will discuss the journey of Star India and how the company has become India’s leading media business by using its programming to spark national discussions on a range of social and political issues.
Most notably, the series Satyamev Jayate, Star’s hit talk show about India’s pressing social concerns, has become the premier platform through which Indians can discuss social issues. This achievement, combined with Star’s track record of cultivating forward-thinking programming, casts Star as a model for what a 21st century media business should look like – one that harnesses the power and reach of television to touch lives and create meaningful change.
Since 1995, the Paley International Council Summit has provided an independent forum that brings together chief executives of the world’s most important media, entertainment, and technology companies to advance the exchange of ideas and to foster community among them. Informal and organized discussions cover a wide range of critical issues that define the media industry and its role in society for generations to come.
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.
