News Headline
Vikram Chandra steps down; KVL Narayan Rao is new NDTV group CEO
MUMBAI: The rumours that were making rounds of Vikram Chandra stepping down from his post at NDTV have now been put to rest.
The NDTV informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that the company Board of Directors has approved the decision of Chandra to step down from the position of the group chief executive officer (CEO) and executive director of NDTV with immediate effect.
Chandra was appointed the group CEO in 2011 for a term of three years which was further extended by another two years. Chandra has expressed the wish to return to full time journalism within NDTV and focus on the TV shows of the Group. Chandra will continue with the Company as Consulting Editor.
The Board while accepting the decision of Chandra placed on record its appreciation of his valuable contribution as CEO. The Board on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee today approved that the executive vice-chairperson KVL Narayan Rao take over additional responsibilities as the Group CEO of NDTV with immediate effect.
Rao has been associated with the Company for nearly 22 years in various capacities including Group CEO and has been a key factor in the creation of NDTV.
Rao has served three terms as the president of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). He has also been on the Board of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and V ice President of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. He continues to be on the Board of both the NBA and the IBF.
Rao is one of the most respected leaders of the news broadcasting fraternity where he has often played a critical role.
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.
