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Star Plus is No. 1 channel across genres
MUMBAI: With the Chennai rains playing damp squib, Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Star Plus has managed to take the position enjoyed by Sun TV until now to become the number one channel across genres in week 48.
Since there was no ratings data from the rain and flood affected areas last week, Sun TV, which had been leader across genres from week 41, has altogether made an exit from the Top 10 channel list in week 48 of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, all India (U+R) data excluding Tamil Nadu / Puducherry.
As a result, Colors has taken up the second position in the list, followed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s (Zeel) free to air (FTA) channel Zee Anmol.
Star Plus garnered first position with 854074 (000Sums) followed by Colors in the second place with 799503 (000Sums) and Zee Anmol was perched on the third spot with 757539 (000Sums). Zee TV bagged fourth spot in the list with 728698 (000Sums).
Star India’s FTA channel Star Ustav stood at number five with 564579 (000Sums). Life OK grabbed the sixth slot with 531991 (000Sums) followed by Sony Max with 476364 (000Sums) and ETV Telugu with 463405 (000Sums) in the seventh and eighth slots respectively.
Zee Cinema bagged the ninth position with 450614 (000Sums), whereas Sony Entertainment Television with 431859 (000Sums) stood at number ten.
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.
