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BARC week 29: English news ratings plunge further
BENGALURU: The combined ratings of the top 5 English news ratings as per Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) plunged to their lowest in week 23 of 2019 (Saturday, 13 July 2019 to Friday, 19 July 2019, week or period under review) since week 13. The combined weekly ratings of the top 5 English news channels at 1.809 million weekly impressions was far lower than the earlier lowest of 1.848 million weekly impressions in week 24 of 2019. BARC had recommenced publishing limited data in the public data in week 13 of 2019 after stopping in week 6, ostentatiously to allow ratings to stabilise after implementation of the new tariff order, hence week 13 of 2019 has been used as a reference point.
The list of channels in BARC’s weekly list of top 5 English news channels for week 29 of 2019 were the same as in week 28, except for a small shuffling in ranks. Four of the channels had a drop in viewership, while ratings of one went up.
As has become a norm, the Arnab Goswami led Republic TV headed BARC’s weekly list of top 5 English news channels in week 29 of 2019 with 0.564 million weekly impressions as compared to 0.593 million weekly impressions in week 28. At second rank in week 29 of 2019 was Times Now with 0.404 million weekly impressions as compared to second rank and 0.424 million weekly impressions in the previous week.
Also continuing on at its previous week’s third rank was pubcaster Doordarshan’s English news channel DD India in week 29 of 2019 with 0.367 million weekly impressions as compared to 0.345 million weekly impressions in the previous week. Climbing up a place to fourth rank in week 29 of 2019 was CNN News18 with 0.264 million weekly impressions as compared to 0.279 million weekly impressions in week 28. India Today Television dropped a place to fifth rank with 0.210 million weekly impressions as compared to fourth rank and 0.288 million weekly impressions in week 28.
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.
