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Zee TV gets new president in media professional Apurva Purohit
Zee Telefilms group broadcasting CEO Sandeep Goyal is moving like quicksilver, at least as far as hiring of senior skilled professionals is concerned. Last week, he brought ex-Sony and MAK TV senior TV professional Prashant Sanwal on board to head the Alpha bouquet.
And 17 June saw the announcement of the hiring of media professional Apurva Purohit as president (business) of Zee TV, the flagship channel of the Zee Network. She is slated to take charge on 15 July and will be based at the Zee TV Chintamani Plaza Andheri (East) office in Mumbai. Purohit will be reporting to Goyal and will also have the responsibility of further consolidating the channel’s presence in international markets.
Purohit, a media director with FCB Ulka’s media unit Lodestar, put in her papers today. At Lodestar, she oversaw clients like Whirlpool, Amul, Tata Indica amongst others and was responsible for the Mumbai, Calcutta and Bangalore, operations of the agency.
“She’s a very bright professional with lots of ideas,” says Lodestar executive director Shashi Sinha. “She is very, very good with numbers. And this a big break for her. “
A management graduate from IIM Bangalore, Purohit has been in the advertising and media business for 15 years. Starting with client servicing, she crossed over to media planning in the mid-90’s.
“Apurva brings to our team a fine balance of media science, media interpretation and media innovation. She is a very fine-honed professional and we are sure she will contribute significantly to enhancing the franchise of Zee TV,” Sandeep Goyal was quoted as saying in a media release
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.
