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BARC week 41: Sun TV is No 1 channel on All India basis
MUMBAI: Despite the controversy surrounding its owners in recent times, Tamil general entertainment channel (GEC) – Sun TV has come out as the numero uno channel across genres on an All India basis with BARC India’s rural data rollout, and is even ahead of popular Hindi GECs like Star Plus and Colors.
In week 41 of the BARC India data, Sun TV emerged as the leader across genres in the All India (Urban + Rural) market with 1153449 (000Sums).
Hindi GECs, which dominated the Top 10 channels chart were Star Plus in the second spot, Colors at third and Zee TV in the fourth spot. The free to air (FTA) channel Zee Anmol grabbed the second position, while Star Utsav was in the seventh position, followed by Life OK in the eight spot.
While the chart for the Top 10 channels across genres was mostly dominated by Hindi GECs, apart from Sun TV, another regional channel, which managed to appear on the list was ETV Telugu in the ninth position with 447160 (000Sums).
Two Hindi movie channels namely Star Gold with 546919 (000Sums) and Zee Cinema with 427533 (000Sums) were amongst the top 10 channels across genres in the sixth and tenth position 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.
