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BARC week 27: No change in pecking order of Hindi GECs
MUMBAI: The pecking order of Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) remained the same in week 27 of Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC) ratings.
Star Plus continued to rule the genre with 416,916 (000s sum) followed by Colors with 364,741 (000s sum). Zee TV comfortably sat at the number three position with 284,517 (000s sum).
Life OK was spotted on the fourth spot with 239,459 (000s sum) followed by Sony Entertainment Television (SET) at the bottom of the chart with 177,934 (000s sum).
Amongst the top programs in the GEC space, Star Plus’ Saath Nibhana Saathiya grabbed the first position with 6,166 (000s sum).
Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhagya and Dance India Dance – Season 5 recorded second and third spot with 5635 (000s sum) and 4962 (000s sum) respectively. However, Colors’ Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and Sasural Simar Ka occupied fourth and fifth spot with 4650 (000s sum) and 4595 (000s sum) respectively.
In the English news space, Times Now continued its dominance with 418 (000s sum) followed by India Today Television with 186 (000s sum). Lastly, CNN-IBN scored 170 (000s sum).
In the Hindi news broadcasting space, India TV secured the top position with 27322 (000s sum) followed by ABP News with 26235 (000s sum). On the other hand, Aaj Tak claimed the third spot with 24968 (000s sum).
In the sports genre, Ten Sports continued its dominance with 38309 (000s sum). Ten Cricket and Sony Six occupied the second and third position with 23383 (000s sum) and 11751 (000s sum) 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.
