News Headline
Most GECs see a fall in ratings in week 38
MUMBAI: The week 38 of TAM TV ratings witnessed no change in the ranking order of the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). However, on the viewership front, most of the channels saw a drop in the ratings.
Thus, Star Plus continued to lead the pack with 579,978 GVTs, down from 594,923 GVTs. Diya Aur Baati Hum is back to its number one position and recorded 8,074 TVTs, up from 7,730 TVTs. At number two is Saathiya Saath which saw a significant drop in the viewership as it scored 7,062 TVTs, down from 7,708 TVTs, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai ranks number three with 6,360 TVTs, down from 6,572 TVTs.
At number two stands Zee TV, which reported 442,526 GVTs, up from 431,746 GVTs. Its new offering Bandhan has observed 4,366 TVTs. With this, Bandhan is the second highest opener show across GECs (September 2013 – September 2014), according to the statement by the channel. Other offerings which have seen a rise in the ratings are Jamai Raja which noticed 7,045 TVTs, up from 6,704 TVTs and Sapne Suhane scored 4,027 TVTs, up from 3,556 TVTs.
Colors ranks number three with 412,405 GVTs, down from 416,675 GVTs. The major loss for the channel was its comedy non-fiction property, Comedy Nights With Kapil. It witnessed a major drop in the viewership and rated 3,996 TVTs, down from 6,020 TVTs. On the fiction side, Balika Vadhu too saw a fall and reported 5,067 TVTs, down from 5,443 TVTs.
Despite a drop in the viewership, Life OK continues its hold at number four with 294,679 GVTs, down from 313,012 GVTs. The channel’s biggest non-fiction property with Akshay Kumar as the host – Dare to Dance garnered 2,510 TVTs, down from 2,933 TVTs. Mahadev also witnessed a drop in the ratings and stood at 1,478 TVTs, down from 1,650 TVTs.
Sab at number five registered 269,045 GVTs, down from 292,474. The channel’s most popular property – Taarek Mehta tracked 6,142 TVTs, down from 7,278 TVTs. Chidiya Ghar too lost its viewership and scored 2,343 TVTs, down from 2,618 TVTs and Balveer noticed 2,267 TVTs, down from 2,574 TVTs.
Sony continues to be at the bottom of the chart with 263,802 GVTs, up from 262,507 GVTs. Its crime property CID garnered 3,453 TVTs, up from 3,174 TVTs. Maharana Veer Pratap registered 3,033 TVTs, up from 3,013 TVTs.
As for the new entrant GECs, Zindagi and Sony Pal have witnessed a rise in the viewership. Zindagi noted 31,528 GVTs, up from 30,016 GVTs and Sony Pal is not far with 24,234 GVTs, up from 20,881 GVTs.
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
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.








