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Zeel completes 29 years; the best is yet to come, says MD Punit Goenka
Mumbai: The media and entertainment major – Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has completed 29 years of its foundation on Saturday, as it wades through a boardroom crisis.
“29 years ago, on this very day, we set pen to paper and laid the foundation of this extraordinary institution, which we called ZEE. Back then, a lot of people thought it was a bold and impossible idea, but the power of passion and perseverance paid off and here we are today, celebrating this glorious milestone,” said managing director and chief executive officer Punit Goenka in a message to his employees. “It has been a journey where we embedded culture of consistent value creation and sustained growth. As we together step into the 30th year of the Company, we stay committed to many more successful years ahead filled with glory, growth, and profitability.”
Goenka said “the best is yet to come,” as the company now gears up to seal a merger deal with Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI). “The proposed merger with Sony will make us the largest media and entertainment company in the country. With Sony as a partner in our value creation journey, the combined synergies will help us strengthen our capabilities, and create sharper content that enriches the lives of our viewers,” said Goenka.
The Company is currently embroiled in a boardroom tussle with two of its top investors demanding the removal of MD and CEO Punit Goenka through an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). The demand made through a requisition notice has already been turned down by the Company, which is also exploring legal options against the move.
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.
