News Headline
BARC week 15: AXN continues climb to first position; Movies Now and Discovery continue to lead their genres
MUMBAI: According to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) ratings across 6 Mega Cities: NCCS AB: 4+ individuals , AXN climbed up from second rank of week 14 to first position in week 15. Star World faced a major drop from last week, scored last position. While, Movies Now continued to top English movies. Discovery dominated infotainment space.
English entertainment
AXN hopped to first position with 248 Impressions (000s), followed by Comedy Central with 180 Impressions (000s). Colors Infinity SD scored third position with 140 Impressions (000s). Zee Café with 101 Impressions (000s) and star world with 77 Impressions (000s) grabbed fourth and fifth position respectively.
English movies
Movies Now dominated with 2374 Impressions (000s). Star Movies held second position with 2374 Impressions (000s). Sony Pix with 1930 Impressions (000s) was third in the list. HBO with 1807 Impressions (000s) grabbed fourth position, followed by Zee Studio at fifth with 1379 Impressions (000s).
Infotainment
The infotainment genre was once again topped by Discovery Channel with 4536 Impressions (000s). History TV 18 maintained its second position from week 14, with 3804 Impressions (000s), followed by National Geographic with 3500 Impressions (000s). Animal Planet with 2840 Impressions (000s) and Nat Geo Wild with 1986 Impressions (000s) got fourth and fifth position respectively.
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.
