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PM Narendra Modi’s I-Day speech recorded 1.9% reach on DD National: TAM
MUMBAI: A great orator and a crowd puller, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed the nation on Independence Day proved to be an audience puller for pubcaster Doordarshan. The early morning speech telecast on DD National and DD Sports, reached out to more audiences this year than the previous Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. However there was a drop in sampling as compared to the last year, when PM Modi gave his maiden Independence Day speech.
The year 2014 when Modi was appointed as the Prime Minister of India, saw the Independence Day speech gaining the highest reach and viewership. According to TAM TV analysis, while the pubcaster garnered 2.3 per cent reach in 2014, its reach dropped a little this year, but was still more than that of 2013. DD National and DD Sports recorded 1.9 per cent reach on 15 August, 2015, while on the same day in 2013 it managed 1.6 per cent reach.
Apart from Doordarshan, there was heavy coverage of Independence Day on Hindi and English News channels as well.
Among the Hindi News channels, Zee News and India News gave maximum coverage to Independence Day, but it was Aaj Tak and ABP News, which garnered maximum returns on the news. While Aaj Tak with 170 GRPs topped the Hindi news genre in terms of ratings, it was India News, which saw the highest time spent, as it recorded 32,000 seconds.
Like last year, Times Now and News X were again leaders in terms of coverage of Independance Day, in the English News channel genre. However, it was Times Now with 8 GRPs, which received maximum returns, thanks to its coverage, which was spread across the day unlike other players. News X topped the time spent category with 37,000 seconds.
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.
