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BARC week 23: Naagin rules, but rural markets prefer Jodha Akbar
MUMBAI: According to BARC NCCS All Prime Time (1800 – 2330 hrs) 4+ Individuals data for week 23, Jodha Akbar on FTA Zee Anmol topped the Top 5 Hindi GEC Programs for Rural markets followed by Naagin on Colors. However, going by BARC Top 5 Hindi GEC Programs (Urban+Rural), Jodha Akbar on Zee Anmol stood at fourth position, while it did not find a place among Top 5 Hindi GEC Programs for Urban.
Naagin on Colors found a place among the top five lists across all the three BARC Hindi GEC classifications. Saath Nibhaana Saathiya was also among the top five lists across all the three classifications, but on different channels. In the rural markets it found a place on Star Utsav while in Urban and (Urban+Rural) markets it found a place among the top 5 on Star Plus.
Three of Zee Anmol’s programs were listed among the top 5 in rural markets.
Rural
In week 23, Jodhan Akbar on Zee Anmol with with 6935 Impressions (000s) topped the market followed by Naagin on Colors with 5672 Impressions (000s). Bandini also on Zee Anmol with 4805 Impressions (000s) came third among the Top 5 Hindi GEC Programs for Rural markets, followed by Saath Nibhaana Saathiya on Star Utsav with 4503 Impressions (000s). It is Zee Anmol’s Meri Doli Teri Angana with 4348 Impressions (000s) that stood last in the top 5 Hindi GEC Programs Rural markets list for week 23.
Urban
Naagin has been dominating the urban market for long and it continued on top in week 23 with 11108 Impressions (000s), followed by Ye Hai Mohabbatein on Star Plus with 8299 Impressions (000s) on second spot. Saath Nibhaana Saathiya also on Star Plus stood third with 5800 Impressions (000s) followed by Kumkum Bhagya on Zee with 5653 Impressions (000s) on fourth spot. India’s Got Talent on Colors took the last spot with 5650 Impressions (000s).
Urban+Rural
Here also, Naagin on Colors took the pole position with 16780 Impressions (000s) followed by Ye Hai Mohabbatein on Star Plus with 1237 Impressions (000s) on second spot. Kumkum Bhagya on Zee with 9344 Impressions (000s) was at third place. Jodha Akbar on Zee Anmol and Saath Nibhaana Saathiya on Star Plus took fourth and fifth places with 8864 Impressions (000s) and 8802 Impressions (000s) 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.
