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Zee Entertainment shifts sales veteran to live events push
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has moved Subarna RayChaudhuri into a new role as vice-president of sales for Zee Live, its events arm, after she spent more than three years steering advertising sales across the broadcaster’s television portfolio.
RayChaudhuri, who joined Zee in 2004 and has spent the bulk of her career there bar brief stints elsewhere, has been juggling various sales roles at the Mumbai-based media giant since October 2021. She spent three years as vice-president of sales before the lateral move to Zee Live in November, where she’ll hunt for sponsorships and partnerships for concerts, festivals and other live entertainment.
The shift marks a bet by Zee that its live events business can generate meaningful revenue as traditional television advertising faces pressure from streaming platforms and social media. RayChaudhuri’s remit includes building relationships with brands and advertising agencies—territory she knows well after handling key accounts for Zee’s regional channels, including Zee Bangla and Living Foodz, where she claims to have driven 80 per cent of business from western India.
Her career has been a long march through India’s media sales trenches. She started at Times of India in 2003 procuring ads for Calcutta Times and Femina, spent five years at Zee Telefilms from 2004, popped over to TV Today Network and BBC News for brief stretches, then boomeranged back to Zee in 2012. She’s been there ever since, climbing from group head to senior territory head to director before landing the vice-president title in 2022.
Whether RayChaudhuri can turn Zee Live into a money-spinner remains to be seen. Live events are fickle—one hit concert can mint cash, one dud festival can torch margins. After two decades in ad sales, she’s now tasked with convincing brands that sponsoring live gigs beats buying telly spots.
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.
