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R-Day, pre-Budget prep, Delhi election help news channels gain viewership
MUMBAI: The 71st Republic Day, Budget 2020 preparation and Delhi election campaigns have kept news channels across genres busy, Broadcasting Audience Research Council India portrays in its week 4 data between 25 January and 31 January.
The TV Today Group’s Aaj Tak has topped the Hindi news segment with 133942 weekly impressions, of which the channel received 54244 weekly impressions in rural and 79699 weekly impressions in urban.
Gaining at least 106097 weekly impressions, Zee News bagged the second spot in the Hindi news genre in the week 4 report of BARC. The channel achieved 41453 weekly impressions in the rural segment and 64644 in urban.
Network 18’s News18 India was ranked third with 100395 weekly impressions, followed by India TV at fourth position and Republic Bharat at fifth, both channels received 91481 and 90594 impressions respectively.
In English genre, Republic TV clinched the top position with 749 weekly impressions, followed by DD India which garnered 713 weekly impressions in Week 4 of BARC. DD India had exclusive rights to telecast the Republic day event, which perhaps helped the channel to gain more eyeballs.
Times Now being settled at the third position has garnered 515 weekly impressions in Week 4 of BARC. Whereas, India Today Television at fourth position and CNN News18 at fifth spot with 368 and 237 weekly impressions respectively.
As the budget preparation being the major focus, the business news channel CNBC TV18 of Network18 has gained 275 weekly impressions, followed by Times group’s ET NOW with 123 weekly impressions.
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.
