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BARC India partners Twitter to provide easy access to topline data
MUMBAI: Continuing the evolution television ratings measurement body Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has launched its latest innovation – #BARCTweet. In partnership with Twitter, this will provide TV viewers and industry insiders with weekly ratings data on-the-go and delivered to their Twitter timeline.
The new offering #BARCTweet in association with Frrole – a social data intelligence setup manning the backend software, will now make reaching out to consumers possible bringing to life one of BARC India’s key goals.
To acquire the topline television audience ratings data, one simply needs to tweet with the hashtag #BARCTweet followed by the data request e.g. #BARCTweet Top 5 Telugu Programs. The industry body’s Twitter handle @BARCIndia will then reply to users with the requested information.
While BARC India’s subscribers have access to all the data on a weekly basis, this unique service is available free of cost to non-subscribers, which also underlines the transparency that is at the very core of the BARC India philosophy.
As a joint industry body, BARC India has always believed and followed the brand philosophy of communicating and engaging with stakeholders across all broadcasters, media agencies and advertisers in India.
This latest step towards an open TV rating service is another in a series of advances like BARC India Media Workstation (BMW) and SpotTrek (Next day of telecast – spot monitoring and certification service).
BARC India CEO Partho Dasgupta says, “In keeping with our focus on technology, BARC India is geared for new possibilities and opportunities to connect with all who are keen on knowing more about the television audience measurement service in India and are therefore proud to present a World First with the launch of hashtag #BARCTweet with the Twitter India team.”
Twitter market director, South & Southeast Asia Rishi Jaitly adds, “BARC India’s ambition to innovate and create a unique value proposition for users is something we admire. Twitter believes in the power of information and this empowers all users equally, which is very exciting from a Twitter point of view.”
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.
