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BARC week 29: Star Utsav emerges as the no.1 channel in Rural HSM
MUMBAI: Star Plus continued to lead the Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) genre in Urban+ Rural Hindi speaking market (HSM) whereas Zee TV maintained its position at second slot as per Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings for week 29. On the other hand Star Utsav emerged as the number one channel in rural HSM, pushing down Zee Anmol, which had ruled the top spot earlier.
Urban + Rural HSM
Even after witnessing a fall in ratings, Star Plus continued to lead the Hindi general entertainment channel genre with 696376 Impressions (000s) against 720065 Impressions (000s) in last week while Zee TV maintained its second position with 636898 Impressions (000s) followed by Colors on third spot with 584678 Impressions (000s).
Star India’s free to air channel Star Utsav grabbed the fourth position with 450259 Impressions (000s) and Life OK was at the fifth slot with 437569 Impressions (000s).
Zee Anmol stood at sixth with 433515 Impressions (000s) followed by Sony Pal at number seven with 413606 Impressions (000s) and Sony Entertainment Television at number eighth with 359426 Impressions (000s). Sab TV on number nine with 358682 Impressions (000s) and Rishtey maintained its tenth spot with 289896 Impressions (000s).
Rural HSM
In week 29, Star Utsav toppled Zee Anmol and grabbed leadership position with 348824 Impressions (000s) followed by Zee Anmol at second position with 329641 Impressions (000s) and Sony Pal on third slot with 313911 Impressions (000s). Zee TV maintained its fourth position with 280475 Impressions (000s).
Star Plus garnered fifth spot with 218160 Impressions (000s) while Rishtey grabbed sixth spot with 204803 Impressions (000s) followed by Colors at number seven with 169977 Impressions (000s) and Life Ok which stood at eight with 150327 Impressions (000s).
Big Magic grabbed ninth spot with 102056 while Sony Entertainment Television stood at tenth 100707 Impressions (000s).
Urban HSM
Star Plus garnered first position with 478215Impressions (000s) followed by Colors on second position with 414701 Impressions (000s) and Zee TV with 356423Impressions (000s) stood at number three.
Zee TV bagged third place with 356423 Impressions (000s). Life OK grabbed the fourth spot with 287242 Impressions (000s) followed by Sab TV at fifth with 266242 Impressions (000s) and Sony entertainment television with 258719 Impressions (000s).
In Urban HSM, &TV maintained its number seven position with 114297 Impressions (000s) followed by Zee Anmol with 103873 Impressions (000s) on eighth and Star Utsavl bagged ninth spot with 101436 Impressions (000s). Sony Pal bagged tenth spot with 99695 Impressions (000s).
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.
