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BARC: India Today TV topples Times Now; bags pole position
MUMBAI: Week 22 of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) ratings saw India Today Television (erstwhile Headlines Today) creating a new record by taking over the leadership slot within the second week of its launch. In the English news genre, India Today Television claimed the top slot with 354 (000’s sum).
As a direct result of this, Times Now lost its leadership slot and was pushed back to the second slot with 264 (000’s sum) followed by NDTV 24×7 with 107 (000’s sum).
Speaking on the ratings, India Today Group CEO Ashish Bagga said, “India Today Television aims to redefine the TV news space with pioneering content and a multidimensional visual format. This backed with the gold standard of journalism that India Today has always stood for, is drawing unprecedented attention and we are extremely delighted to see this viewership. We will keep working hard to raise the bar and to become the single most important knowledge source for the viewer.”
Week 22 observed no change in the pecking order of Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Star Plus continued to strengthen its viewership as it recorded 395608 (000’s sum) followed by Colors with 368444 (000’s sum).
Zee TV retained its number three slot with 232732 (000’s sum) followed by Life OK with 230076 (000’s sum). Sab occupied the fifth position with 202904 (000’s sum).
Amongst the top three programs, Star Plus’s Saath Nibhaana Saathiya continued to rule the charts with 7168 (000’s sum). Interestingly, Colors’ two shows ranked at number second and third spot respectively. Thus, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat secured 5195 (000’s sum) followed by Sasural Simar Ka with 4827 (000’s sum).
In the Hindi news broadcasting space, Aaj Tak had a stranglehold over its numero uno position with 27795 (000’s sum) followed by ABP News with 27012 (000’s sum). India TV occupied the third slot with 23460 (000’s sum).
Bindass continued to lead in the youth space with 2847 (000’s sum) followed by MTV with 2268 (ooo’s sum). Channel V registered the third slot with 1199 (000’s sum).
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.
