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India-Eng test catalyses Star Sports’ top viewership
MUMBAI: Star Sports Network continued its domination over Broadcast Audience Research Council (India) ratings in the penultimate week of the year. The 51-week data for the sports genre placed Star Sports 3 on the top spot in the channels’ ratings, to be followed by Star Sports 1. It is clear that these numbers have been obtained by the recently-concluded India-England test series, which saw the home team winning 4-0 after Karun Nair and R Jadeja’s exploits in the final test.
Star Sports 3 was beaming the India-England fifth test live in Hindi, and got a total of 190571 impressions. Collated on an all India basis with 4+ audiences, the ratings proved that Test cricket, when exciting, will ensure good viewership. The second spot was owned by Star Sports 1 with 152792 impressions, a channel which broadcast the match with English commentary. In the third and fifth place were Ten network’s Ten 1 and Ten 2 with 9477 and 14031 impressions, respectively. The fourth spot was held by Star Sports 2, which got a total of 45625 impressions.
The period in consideration is 17 December to 23 December and the last test was played from 16 December at Chennai. It was a mammoth innings from Karnataka batsman Karun Nair, who scored a record-breaking 303. The third day of the test saw Karun scoring the bulk of his runs, with Lokesh Rahul also getting out on a heart-breaking 199. The batting testimony got the highest viewership in terms of programs as the third day got 3013 impressions on Star Sports 3.
The fourth day of the fifth test stood second, with 2978 impressions. Karun Nair had completed his triple century on this day, breaking several records on the way. The third spot went to the final day of the test with 2478 impressions, which saw Ravinder Jadeja picking up seven wickets to derail England batting and win the test. Both the second and third highest viewership were garnered on Star Sports 3.
In the fourth spot is WWE Roadblock, featured on Ten 1. The program got 2390 impressions. The fifth and the final spot was sealed by the India-England series, garnering a healthy 2220 impressions on Star Sports 1. Star Sports network have benefited a lot from this highly exciting test series, getting good numbers in the last two tests which India won handsomely.
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.
