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October records highest TV ad-volume in 2021
Mumbai: Riding high on the festivals and sports events, the total ad volume on Television was recorded to be the highest in October, according to the data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc), here on Tuesday.
The total ad volumes for the month of October 2021 stood at 178 mn seconds, the highest for the year. According to the data, the volume is 11 per cent higher than that of October 2020 and 23 per cent higher than October 2019. The total number of advertisers stood at 2851 and brands were 4,624 for October 2021, out of which 22 per cent were new advertisers.
“Television advertising continues to grow peaking at 178 million seconds in Oct 2021, the highest for the same period over the last three years. Backed by festivities and sporting events, these numbers have reinstated a strong positive sentiment amongst marketers,” said Barc India head-client partnerships and revenue function Aaditya Pathak. “New advertisers and brands continue to ride this growth wave and place their trust in the medium given its reach. Ad volumes for the Dussehra week grew by 13 per cent over the previous four weeks and by 25 per cent over 2019. The number of new advertisers and brands was also the highest for this period.”
FMCG leads the charts
While ad volumes for FMCG dominated the charts, e-commerce and BFSI sectors have recorded a record growth of 97 per cent and 98 per cent respectively, against October 2019, which is highest amongst other sectors.
Ad Volumes for the Auto sector also showed a positive curve with a growth of three per cent over 2019. The Retail sector grew by 127 per cent, Durables by 297 per cent and Personal Accessories by 157 per cent, over the start of the year, January 2021. As a positive sentiment in the construction sector, ad volumes for the ‘Building Equipment’ category posted a 23 per cent growth in Oct 2021 over Oct 2019.
As per the data, Dussehra Week 2021 witnessed 13 per cent growth in Ad Volumes over the previous four weeks and 25 per cent over 2019. The number of Advertisers and Brands during the Dussehra week 2021, is the highest as compared to previous years; 18 per cent more than the previous four weeks.
Bhojpuri language dominates
Ad volumes for Bhojpuri language during the festive period were at an all-time high in 2021, recording a growth of 111 per cent compared to the same period in Oct 2019. Apart from Bhojpuri, Punjabi ad volumes has also recorded a 52 per cent growth over Oct 2019, while the growth percentage for Telugu and Marathi languages was 33 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.
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.
