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Zee’s Subhash Chandra plans succession; names Amit Goenka as head – international biz
MUMBAI: In a bid to steer to company towards the future, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s (Zeel) Next Gen is stepping into pivotal roles. While Zeel chairman Subhash Chandra had pulled in his elder son Puneet Goenka into the firm a decade ago, he is now shoring up the senior management by bringing in his younger son Amit Goenka as CEO of Zeel’s international broadcasting business.
Even as Puneet has steered Zeel to greater heights as its managing director and CEO, Amit, who was earlier the non executive chairman of the company, has been entrusted with the responsibility to provide clear focus to the company’s international operations.
To this effect, Zeel is reorganising its overseas broadcasting operations of all international channels, excluding sports, English channels and uplinking activities, under a wholly owned subsidiary of its company Asia Today Ltd (ATL). Currently, these operations are housed under Zeel’s overseas subsidiaries ATL, Mauritius (being renamed as ATL Media Ltd) and Zee Multimedia Worldwide (Mauritius) Ltd and their respective subsidiaries.
Additionally, Zeel has also got board approval to write-off of an investment of GBP 3.25 million (equivalent to Rs. 33.06 crore) made by ATL, in 2013 for acquiring a minority stake in MirriAD Ltd., UK. This write-off was on account of continuing losses and consequent capital reduction and restructuring in the latter.
“Bringing in Amit is a good move by Chandra as he has successfully been working behind the scenes at the Essel Group on innovations and business development despite heading Playwin as its CEO. He has a good deal of experience under his belt, which should help Zeel achieve Chandra’s global vision for Zee,” says a media observer. “It’s good succession planning by the savvy mediapreneur. And it’s quite akin to what his former partner Rupert Murdoch has done in recent times by bringing in his elder son Lachlan in a non-executive capacity as News Corp co-chairman and 21st Century Fox. His younger son James has been running 21st Century Fox as its CEO much earlier.”
A techie at heart, Amit has more than 10 years experience and is the CEO of Pan India, which runs the online lottery business under the Playwin brand. Some of the other projects where he is involved are ITZ Cash, animation division, wireless mobility, 7575 short code business, Digital Media Convergence Limited, Mumbai Football Club, All Sports Bar and All Sports Magazine amongst others. Amit has also worked with Zee Telefilms and was closely associated with the group’s investment and restructuring of the ICO project, a global mobile telephony project during his early days.
Additionally, Zeel executive vice chairman Subodh Kumar has resigned from his post with immediate effect. He will, however, continue as a non-executive director on the Board of the company.
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.
