News Headline
BARC week 29: Travel XP HD enters Lifestyle genre; Colors Infinity SD enter, AXN HD exits
MUMBAI: While on one hand Colors Infinity SD made a comeback to the English Entertainment genre, AXN HD exited it. The genre saw mixed ratings this week. According to week 29 of BARC India rating, 6 Mega Cities : NCCS AB : 4+ Individuals, the English movies space observed changes in the pecking order dominated by Movies Now.
Players in the infotainment genre saw a decline in ratings, though Animal Planet witnessed a considerable increase in its viewership. Whereas, the lifestyle genre observed the entry of a new player- Travel XP HD.
English Entertainment
Zee Cafe secured its number one position with an increase in rating from 214 Impressions (000s) to 239 Impressions (000s) in week 29. AXN climbed up the rope and grabbed the second berth with 228 Impressions (000s) followed by Comedy Central with 185 Impressions (000s) taking the third position.
Star World came down to 178 Impressions (000s) taking the fourth position. Colors Infinity SD entered the top 5 list at the fifth position with 42 Impressions (000s).
English Movies
Movies Now, despite a decline in ratings, sustained the number one position with 3159 Impressions (000s) as compared to 3444 Impressions (000s) in week 28 followed by Star Movies with an increase in the ratings bagging the second position with 2874 Impressions (000s). Sony Pix came down to the third place with 1864 Impressions (000s) followed by Zee Studio which grabbed the fourth place with 1505 Impressions (000s). HBO bagged the fifth position with 1377 Impressions (000s).
Infotainment
Discovery continued to lead the space with 4446 Impressions (000s), followed by National Geographic Channel on second position with 3160 Impressions (000s). Animal Planet with 2975 Impressions (000s) was on third position. History TV18 with 2849 Impressions (000s) and Nat Geo Wild with 1986 Impressions (000s) were on fourth and fifth spot respectively.
Lifestyle
Living Foodz with 1922 Impressions (000s) and Fox Life with 671 Impressions (000s) took the first and the second spots respectively. TLC was on third position with 649 Impressions (000s). Food Food grabbed fourth position with 465 Impressions (000s) and Travel XP HD entered the top 5 list at the fifth berth with 246 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.
