News Headline
Sun TV maintains lead, Star Utsav & Dhinchaak big gainers in 2022: Barc
Mumbai: Continuing the lead from the last week of 2021, Sun TV began the New Year as the top performer in the first week of 2022. The Tamil GEC garnered weekly AMAs of 3020.98 according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) data for the period of 1-7 January.
Disturbing the long-standing status quo of Sun TV, Star Plus and Star Maa at the top three positions once again, Star Utsav lodged itself at No. two this week with 2637.26 AMA. It was at the third spot last week. At 2541.77 (‘000s) Star Plus finished third. It was followed by Star Maa and Star Vijay.
Climbing up from last week’s tenth position, Dhinchaak grabbed the sixth spot this time. Sony SAB, Colors and Zee TV were in the next three positions. Marathi GEC Star Pravah re-entered the list at the last slot after a gap of a few weeks.
The mega cities showed a preference for Sun TV (507.75) which was followed by Colors, Star Plus, Sony SAB and Star Vijay. South market was also led by the Tamil major with AMAs of 3014.22. Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Kannada and Zee Telugu were in the next four positions.
Among the regional markets, Star Pravah was the most viewed channel in Maharashtra/Goa with 1578.27 AMA, Star Jalsha (1278.48) in West Bengal, Tarang (477.06) in Odisha, Zee Kannada (1525.16) in Karnataka, and Star Utsav in Rajasthan (254.1) as well as in UP/Uttarakhand (443.38).
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
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.








