News Headline
Star Plus maintains top position in week 39: Barc
Mumbai: Hindi GEC Star Plus maintained its hold at the top position in Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) week 39 (from 25 September to 1 October). With a weekly AMA of 2802.45 (000’s), the channel garnered more viewership than last week when this figure stood at 2744.83 (‘000s) AMA. Tamil GEC Sun TV was the second most viewed channel, clocking 2727.68 AMA as against last week’s 2650.54 (‘000s), revealed the Barc data.
Riding the IPL wave, Star Sports 1 Hindi which made a direct entry at the sixth spot in week 38, replaced Star Maa at the third spot. The Telugu GEC has been a consistent performer at second or third place for the past many weeks. While Star Sports 1 Hindi bagged 2725.57 (‘000s) AMA, Star Maa finished fourth at 2502.61.
The remaining order was occupied by Star Utsav, Colors, Sony SAB, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, and Sony Pal.
Week 39’s Mega Cities list looked different with Star Sports 1 Hindi at the fourth position with a weekly AMA of 386.62 (‘000s). Sun TV led the tally at 473.73 AMA. Star Plus and Colors bagged the second and third slots respectively. Star Vijay finished last.
Sun TV was the top performer in the South Market as well, where it recorded 2720.54 AMA. Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, and Zee Kannada followed.
In the regional circuits, Star Sports 1 Hindi was among the top five most-viewed channels in UP, Odisha, West Bengal, and Maharashtra/Goa.
Star Pravah led the Maharashtra/Goa market with 1419.85 (‘000s) AMA. Zee Bangla was the top performer (1041.27) in West Bengal, Tarang (390.25) in Odisha, Zee Kannada (1434.64) in Rajasthan, Star Utsav (253.6) in Rajasthan, and Zee Anmol (354.63) 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.
