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BARC week 21: Star Utsav tops the list of Hindi GEC platforms
Mumbai: Star Utsav has topped the list of most-watched Hindi GEC channels across all platforms, released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) for week 21 (22 May to 28 May 2021). The channel also bagged the top spot in the list of free platforms, while it was placed sixth in the list of paid platforms.
In the list of paid platforms, Star Plus continued its dominance with 2792.69 Average Minute Audience (AMA), followed by Sony SAB in the second spot with 2520.82 AMA. Colors and Sony Entertainment Television bagged the third and fourth spot in the pay platform with 1449.93 and 1294.56 AMA respectively. The remaining channels in the top 10 list of Hindi GEC pay platforms are Zee TV (1278.53), Star Utsav (928.53), Star Bharat (721.95), Sony Pal (629.86), Dangal (467.47), and Colors Rishtey (429.25). 
Star Utsav topped the category of free platforms with 2037.08 AMA, followed by Colors Rishtey (1077.12) and Zee Anmol (1043.52) in the second and third spots respectively. Sony Pal bagged the fourth spot in the free category with 945.33 AMA.
Other television channels that found their place in this BARC list of free Hindi GEC are Dangal (778.15), The Q (772.12), Big Magic (326.58), Shemaroo TV (137.4), DD National (21.77), and DD Retro (21.29). 
The most-watched Hindi GEC in the rural market is Star Utsav with 2104.48 AMA. Other Hindi GECs included in the top 10 list of the rural market are Colors Rishtey, Zee Anmol, Sony Pal, Star Plus, Dangal, Sony SAB, The Q, Zee TV, and Colors.
In the urban market, Star Plus topped the list with 1869.27 AMA, followed by Sony SAB (1721.53), Colors (983.04), and Sony Entertainment Television (918.03) in the second, third and fourth spots respectively. Other channels in this list of top Hindi GECs in the urban regions are Star Utsav, Zee TV, Sony Pal, Star Bharat, Dangal, and Colors Rishtey.
Star Utsav topped the all-category list which is a compilation of both pay and free platforms with 2965.61 AMA, followed by Star Plus, Sony SAB, and Sony Pal in the second, third and fourth spots respectively. Other channels in the all-category list are Colors Rishtey, Colors, Sony Entertainment Television, Zee Anmol, Zee TV, and Dangal.
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.
