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Star Maa is 3rd highest viewed channel in the country
MUMBAI: Among all the other players in the Telugu general entertainment channels (GECs) space, Star India has led in the already cluttered market consistently over the last few weeks. According to BARC data in week 34 of 2018, Star India’s GEC channel, Star Maa, is now the third highest viewed channel in the country.
The channel claims to have an undisputed leadership over Zee that dominates the Bangla and Marathi segments. Star Maa claims to be on top of Zee Telugu by garnering 37 per cent in terms of viewership. Star Maa retained its leadership position in BARC’s week 34 with 657052 impressions (000s) sum, whereas Zee Telugu secured second position with 487964 impressions (000s) sum, followed by Gemini TV, ETV Telugu and Gemini Movies bagging third, fourth and fifth positions with 486908 impressions (000s) sum, 465314 impressions (000s) sum and 218436 impressions (000s) sum respectively.
Karthika Deepam, Koyilamma and Kumkuma Puvva are among the top 5 programs as per BARC data that are working quite well for the channel. Furthermore, the channel is gearing up to entertain viewers with some impactful properties like Pelli Choopulu where popular TV anchor Pradeep sets out to meet eligible girls and find a potential life partner, The Great Telugu Laughter Challenge judged by the most popular Telugu comedy star Bhramanadam and Mouna Ragam a poignant story of an unwanted girl child who survives an illegal abortion attempt and journeys to become the protector of her house.
The channel is at 936 GRPs, the highest for the Telugu brand in the BARC era [BARC, Wk 34 2018, Urban 15+ AP / TS ]. It also claims to have a well-rounded viewership in fiction, non-fiction and the biggest Tollywood movies, where it leads with more than 70 per cent slots in the prime time viewership for fiction genre. Also, Bigg Boss Season 2 in Telugu is delivering strong with a whopping 4.4 crore viewers tuning in each week.
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.
