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No let-up in Times-Republic on-air spat
BENGALURU: Over the past few weeks on Thursdays’, just post 1100 am, both the top ranked Indian English News channels-Times Now and Republic TV started flashing BARC data, each claiming the number one spot based on ratings. The channels have continued this on-air spat once again. Republic TV says that it has topped ratings for an unprecedented sixth week in a row. The channel claims that Indian ratings monitor Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data for week 24 (Saturday, 11 June 2017 to Friday, 17 June 2017) has declared it number one across all segments at primetime and super primetime in week 24. It claims 36 per cent viewership.
BARC data flashed by Republic TV about viewership: Republic TV 48.42 per cent; Times Now 25.05 per cent; CNN News 18 – 9.38 per cent; Indian Tiday 9.68 percent; NDTV 6.3 percent; News X- 1.11 per cent.
‘Pecking Order Firmly Established’ ‘Slice & Dice Won’t Work’ ‘Self Styled Claims Don’t Matter’ announced some of the slides on Republic TV
In the meantime, Times Now has been flashing on its channel that it is the number one in the English News genre with a relative viewership of 42 per cent while putting Republic TV at second place with a relative viewership of 32 per cent. Times Now puts CNN News 18 7 percent India Today TV’s relative share at 12 per cent, and NDTV 24×7 at 5 per cent.
“The viewership debate is over, we are number 1. It is now one month since we have been in operation and we have now become undisputed leaders in this genre. The game has just begun and we are now absolutely unstoppable. We will take the game to the next level,” Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami had declared in week 22, during a live telecom with Republic TV anchor Hariharan aired on his channel, just after 11:15am on that day.
It may be recalled that in a coordinated move, English News channels had pulled out of BARC on 18 May, only to return to the BARC fold on from midnight of 26 May. English News channels backed by the News Broadcast Association had stripped their signals of BARC audio watermarks. The NBA had requested BARC not to publish Republic TV’s ratings, alleging that the channel has resorted to rampant multiple LCN placements on cable TV networks across the country.
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.
