News Headline
Difference of opinion within BARC on rollout date?
MUMBAI: The silver lining in the TV rating system in India might see dark clouds if Broadcast Audience Research Council’s (BARC) chairman Punit Goenka is to be believed.
Goenka showed concerns on the time the new rating system will start operating. Earlier talking to indiantelevision.com, BARC tech committee chairman Shashi Sinha had stated that the new ratings system should be up and running by 1 October, 2014.
“Everyone is aware of the issue with Indian Readership Survey (IRS) and unless that gets sorted how can we roll out our process,” said Goenka, when quizzed if the launch time for BARC was on schedule. “There would be a delay,” he added.
A committee member, without commenting on Goenka’s concerns, said that the IRS issue is sub judice and hence cannot share data with BARC. “If data isn’t shared with us, how are we going to design the panel?” he questioned. However, he soon highlighted on the fact that the current issue is with the survey done for national publishers and it shouldn’t impact any survey/data needed for television.
Whereas another source refuted any such delay and believes that though IRS has its own sets of problems, there shouldn’t be any issue with BARC. “BARC needs IRS for establishment data, but with minor internal adjustments, everything will fall in place and IRS issue shouldn’t create any material difference to the time-table,” he pin-pointed.
Similarly, another source believes that there shouldn’t be any delay in the rating system to come in place. “Work is in process and in line with the date we had said earlier. And we are hopeful of reaching the due date without any hassle.”
“Why think of a delay? Everything is on schedule,” said a highly placed industry source. “An eight to 10 days delay shouldn’t be called as a delay. A minor variation in the date shouldn’t be an issue,” he concluded.
Early this year, in January, BARC had signed a contract with Médiamétrie for a 1+5 year term. The French audience measurement system will be providing the audio watermarking technology to BARC to monitor TV consumption through its 20,000 strong panel.
The funding to put up the new system in place has been divided as follows: 60 per cent Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), 20 per cent ISA and 20 per cent Indian Advertisers Agencies Association of India (AAAI).
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.
