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BARC Week 49: Regional channels’ pecking order
MUMBAI: Star India’s regional channel Star Jalsha maintained its numero uno position in the Bangla regional genre, whereas amongst Bhojpuri regional channels Bhojpuri Cinema secured the leadership position.
Colors Kannada led the Kannada regional channels genre, while Asianet bagged the first spot in the Malayalam regional channels genre.
On the other hand, Zee Marathi continued to lead the genre, while ETV Telugu and Sarthak TV continued to dominate their respective genres in week 49 of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, all India (U + R) data.
Bangla GECs
Star Jalsha continued to lead the genre and secured the first position with 228859 (000Sums) followed by Zee Bangla in the second berth with 162105 (000Sums) and Jalsha Movies on the third spot with 68361 (000 Sums). Colors Bangla with 37549 (000Sums) and Zee Bangla Cinema with 31155 (000Sums) bagged the fourth and fifth places respectively.
Bhojpuri GECs
Bhojpuri Cinema led the Bhojpuri genre with 20488 (000Sums) followed by Big Magic Ganga in the second spot with 17196 (000Sums), whereas Dangal TV was perched on the third spot with 9517 (000Sums). Dabangg with 5728 (000Sums) and ETV Bihar Jharkhand with 3201 (000Sums) were placed at the fourth and fifth spots respectively.
Kannada GECs
Colors Kannada continued to lead the genre and took its place in the first position with 302974 (000Sums) followed by Suvarna in the second spot with 1541271 (000Sums) and Udaya Movies in the third berth with 130501 (000Sums). Zee Kannada grabbed the fourth place with 125042 (000Sums) while Udaya TV bagged the fifth place with 118442 (000Sums).
Marathi GECs
Zee Marathi continued to lead the genre with 145301 (000Sums) followed by Colors Marathi in the second place with 80690 (000Sums) with Zee Talkies placed in the third position with 57811 (000Sums). Star Pravah with 41435 (000Sums) and DD Sahyadri with 19008 (000Sums) grabbed the fourth and fifth slots respectively.
Oriya GECs
Sarthak TV secured the leadership position in the genre with 113465 (000Sums) followed by Tarang TV in the second spot with 58075 (000Sums) and Colors Oriya in the third place with 20289 (000Sums). Odisha TV with 15850(000Sums) and Prarthana with 12351 (000Sums) grabbed the fourth and fifth berths respectively.
Telugu GECs
ETV Telugu secured the leadership position with 420239 (000Sums) followed by Zee Telugu in the second spot with 340131 (000Sums), while Maa TV was on the third spot with 339978 (000Sums). On the other hand, Gemini TV with 255875 (000Sums) and Gemini Movies with 180736 (000Sums) grabbed the fourth and fifth berths respectively.
Malayalam GECs
In week 49, Asianet continued to lead the genre with 376542 (000Sums) followed by Mazhavil Manorama in the second place with 99395 (000Sums) and Surya TV was placed third with 80013 (000Sums). Flowers TV with 68404 (000Sums) and Asianet Movies with 53985 (000Sums) grabbed the fourth and fifth slots 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.
