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Only TAM and BARC apply for registration for TV rating agencies
NEW DELHI: The applications of TAM and the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) for registration under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India notified early this year is under process under established procedure/practices, Parliament has been informed.
These are the only two agencies to have applied for registration under the guidelines issued on 16 January with the objective of creating a credible, transparent and accountable rating system in the country which , cover detailed procedure for registration of rating agencies, eligibility norms, terms and conditions of registration, cross-holdings, methodology for audience measurement , complaint redressal mechanism , sale and use of ratings, audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and action on non-compliance of guidelines etc.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said all rating agencies shall require registration from the Ministry under the guidelines, which are also available at the Ministry’s website at www.mib.nic.in.
These guidelines are based on recommendations made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on “Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies” of 11 September 2013. The recommendations have been made by TRAI after holding wide-ranging consultations with various stakeholders.
Some of the provisions of these guidelines have been challenged by Kantar Market Research Services and another in Delhi High Court. The High Court has granted stay to some paras relating to restrictions on cross–holding of the company and its board members in rating agencies and generating and publishing ratings till the disposal of the writ petition. The matter is sub-judice.
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.
