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Lower end TV sets hamper reach – TAM study
MUMBAI: 72 per cent of television sets in urban Bihar are the black and white types. Close to 57 per cent of TV sets in the metropolitan city of Kolkata are also black and white, while Kerala is the most evolved market in terms of television. These are the ground realities a fresh TAM survey has brought to the fore in an attempt to understand the actual reach and availability of channels to the lay viewer.
The mapping of availability versus actual walk-ins for a channel, according to the survey, shows Zee Cinema close on the heels of the three ring leaders Star Plus, Sony and Zee.
While better TV sets eventually ensure better receivability of channels, higher end sets are expectedly found more in Kerala and Mumbai, followed by Ludhiana, Delhi and Bangalore. Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh are the states which still are making do with lower end sets, consequently receiving only the prime band channels.
With increasing penetration of colour TV sets and commencement of conditional Access system in the country, the situation promises to get more and more simpler as availability of a channel would be less constrained by the limitations of TV sets, the study notes. Currently, however, the situation is complicated because the number of channels that can be received by television sets is limited. For instance, B&W TV sets cannot receive more than 12 frequencies clearly. Therefore, the frequency of channel signal ends up dictating the availability of the channel into cable homes, the study found.
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.
