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Star Maa topples Sun TV in week 36: BARC
Mumbai: Star Maa, the Telugu GEC from Star Network has toppled Tamil GEC Sun TV to emerge as the top channel in the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India list for week 36 (4-10 September).
The channel recorded weekly AMAs of 2838.83 as against 2494.98 AMAs in week 35 when it was at the third spot. Hindi GEC Star Plus found itself at the second position with 2817.67 (‘000s) AMA, followed by Sun TV which finished third with 2789.9 AMA.
The last few weeks have witnessed a tough competition between Sun TV and Star Plus, slugging it out for the top spot in the BARC list of most-viewed channels. Colors, Star Vijay, Star Utsav, Sony SAB, Zee Telugu, Sony Pal, and Zee Kannada grabbed the remaining positions.
However, in the megacities, Sun TV was able to retain its top position with 510.04 AMA. Star Plus, Colors, Star Vijay, and Sony SAB followed in that order.
The South market maintained last week’s status with Sun TV leading at 2784.92 AMA. It was followed by Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, and Zee Kannada.
In Maharashtra/Goa, audiences showed a clear preference for Star Pravah as the channel registered weekly AMAs of 1434.7 (‘000s). With 1068.12 AMA, Star Jalsha led the Bengal market. Tarang, at 417.1 AMA was the most viewed channel in Odisha, Zee Kannada (1470.42) in Karnataka, Star Utsav (256.75) in Rajasthan, and Zee Anmol (361.09) in UP/Uttarakhand.
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.
