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DD’s winning streak continues, leads urban 15+ markets in BARC week 14
MUMBAI: DD National's winning streak is continuing week after week in lockdown.
In week 14 of BARC India ratings, DD National's rating has moved up from 376 GRPs to 451 GRPs in the HSM urban 15+ market. The channel has managed to beat even the best Hindi GECs, riding on the back of iconic re-runs. Its viewership was more than double that of second position Sony Sab.
Last week for the first time, the pubcaster's Hindi GEC DD National entered the top ten channels list in urban market as well as pay platform.
According to BARC – Nielsen report in week 13, Ramayan garnered 545.8 million impressions and with that DD National became the most-watched channel in week 3 of lockdown. The re-telecast of the show garnered the highest ever rating for a Hindi GEC show since 2015. The show was highest rated in the urban market and megacities. In week 13, Ramayan recorded 46,395 weekly impressions and entered the list of top five programmes in the hindi GEC category.
The channel has been witnessing viewership spikes ever since it launched Ramayan to entertain its viewers.
DD National also started airing Subhash Sagar's Alif Laila. It looks like the pubcaster's channel will continue to bring back more shows to ensure that people will get to watch their favourite old shows during lockdown.
Sony SAB was in the second position in the week 14 with 214 GRPs and Sony Entertainment Television was in the third position with 133 GRPs.
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.
