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GEC: Sony Pal dethrones Star Plus & Sab TV surprises at 2nd position
MUMBAI: Sony Pal emerged as the number one channel in GEC (U+R) space pushing Star Plus to the number two position in week 24 of BARC’s all-India data. In the rural market too, Sony Pal led the segment. In the urban market, however, Star Plus retained its leadership and Sab TV jumped two slots to emerge at the second slot.
Programmes-wise, however, DD National led in the top two positions owing to telecast of ICC Champions trophy matches, and Zee TV’s Amul Sa Re Ga Ma Little Champs emerged on the third position.
Hindi GEC (U+R)
Sony Pal bagged the first spot with 590797 Impressions (000s) followed by Star Plus on the second slot with 584337 Impressions (000s) and Rishtey on third number with 573860 Impressions (000s).
Zee Anmol bagged the fourth spot with 531190 Impressions (000s) whereas Zee TV stood at the fifth spot with 469297 Impressions (000s).
Sab TV climbed two slots to number sixth position with 439300 Impressions (000s). Colors however maintained its seventh position with 433443 Impressions (000s) followed by DD National on the eighth with 424973 Impressions (000s) and Sony Entertainment Television with 362259 Impressions (000s) stood at ninth spot. Life OK came tenth with 321383 Impressions (000s).
Hindi GEC Rural
Sony Pal retained its the numero uno slot with 431225 Impressions (000s) with improved ratings this week as compared to 402620 Impressions (000s) in week 23.
Rishtey and Zee Anmol respectively stood at second and third positions with 428756 Impressions (000s) and 410953 Impressions (000s). DD National retained its fourth position with 259909 Impressions (000s) sum.
Star Utsav stood at fifth position with 234371 Impressions (000s) sum. Star Plus garnered 196417 Impressions (000s) followed by Zee TV’s 189743 Impressions (000s) sum to respectively pocket sixth and seventh spot. Big Magic stood at number eight with 183974 Impressions (000s) sum.
Colors and Sab TV bagged the ninth and tenth spots respectively with 133816 Impressions (000s) and 131964 Impressions (000s).
Hindi GEC Urban
Star Plus has retained the top position with 387920 Impressions (000s) followed by Sab TV on the second slot with 307336 Impressions (000s) and Colors on the third with 299627 Impressions (000s).
Zee TV and Sony pocketed the fourth and fifth positions with 279553 and 264073 impressions (000s) sum. Life OK, DD National and Sony Pal respectively bagged the sixth, seventh and eighth positions with 211052, 165063 and 159572 Impressions (000s) sum.
At the last of Top 10 channels’ list appeared Rishtey and &TV with 145104 and 129007 impressions (000s) sum.
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.
