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Barc Wk 18′ 23: Sun TV dominates South market
Mumbai : Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India has released currency data for week 18, i.e. 29 April to 5 May 2023. As per data for the all India 2+ target group, STAR Sports 1 Hindi is the most watched channel in India with an average minute audience (AMA) of 2831.86(000). It was followed by STAR Maa at 2324.73(000) AMA, Sun TV at 2315.38(000) AMA, STAR Plus at 2262.15(000) AMA, and Dangal at 1879.06(000) AMA.
The average minute audience (AMA) is defined as the number of individuals within a target audience who viewed a televised “event,” averaged across minutes. In the Hindi speaking market (HSM), STAR Sports 1 Hindi emerged as the most watched channel at 2785.39(000) AMA, followed by STAR Plus at 2188.26(000) AMA, Dangal at 1872.11(000) AMA, Goldmines at 1597.82(000) AMA and Sony Sab at 1524.16(000) AMA.
In the South market, Sun TV was the most watched channel at 2296.04(000) AMA, followed by STAR Maa at 2267.58(000) AMA, Zee Telugu at 1666.75(000) AMA, STAR Vijay at 1405.79(000) AMA and Zee Tamil at 1154.59(000) AMA.
In the Maharashtra/Goa market, STAR Pravah was the most watched channel at 1339.34(000) AMA , followed by STAR Sports 1 Hindi at 769.54(000) AMA, Colors Marathi at 412.84(000) AMA, SONY Sab at 395.44(000) AMA and Zee Marathi at 371.13(000) AMA.
In the West Bengal market, STAR Jalsha was the most watched channel with 887.23(000) AMA, followed by Zee Bangla at 768.74(000) AMA, STAR Sports 1 Hindi at 228.38(000) AMA, Sony Aath at 130.51(000) AMA and Jalsha Movies at 129.49(000) AMA.
In the megacities market, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai, STAR Sports 1 Hindi was the most watched channel at 480.45(000) AMA followed by Sun TV at 387.1(000) AMA, STAR Plus at 362.26(000) AMA, Colors at 295.24(000) AMA and STAR Vijay at 291.13(000) AMA.
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.
