News Headline
Zee TV president Apurva Purohit quits
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: The Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Telefilms may see another round of churning at the top with Zee TV president Apurva Purohit having put in her papers.
Purohit is currently serving her notice period and will cease to be an employee of Zee from 31 January 2004. Purohit’s is not some sudden exit though. The talk has been floating across the industry grapevine for months now that the well respected media professional was on her way out. Information available with indiantelevision.com indicates that Purohit has been in touch with some top headhunters in the last few months in this regard.
Meanwhile, at Zee TV’s offices in Andheri East, Mumbai, Chandra has been conducting extensive meetings across the board since the past one week. Chandra has not only met department heads but even executives much lower down the corporate hierarchy, informed sources say. What all this could mean is some more corporate restructuring at Zee.
An official statement from Zee Telefilms says, “Arrangements are being finalized for a suitable replacement of Purohit, which would be announced next week.”
Pointing out that Purohit has decided to “move for better prospects”, the statement says the team of Zee Network wishes her success in all her future endeavours. Purohit joined Zee from FCB Ulka’s media unit Lodestar in June 2002.
After Sandeep Goyal left Zee telefilms as the group broadcasting CEO, Chandra had taken over the managing director’s post too and, hence, Purohit and other channel heads used to report to him directly.
Though Purohit was not available for comment, industry sources indicate that Lodestar would happily take her back. Lodestar executive director Shashi Sinha is known to have high regard for Purohit’s professional capabilities.
Another possibility that is being bandied about is that she may team up with the man who got her into Zee – Goyal.
Goyal recently set up Dentsu Communications Pvt Ltd, in which he is a 26 per cent stakeholder along with Dentsu Inc, Japan’s largest advertising agency, which holds a 74 per cent stake in the new entity.
A management graduate from IIM Bangalore, Purohit has been in the advertising and media business for 15 years before joining Zee in mid-June 2002. Starting with client servicing, she crossed over to media planning in the mid-90’s.
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.
