News Headline
STAR Plus retains top position in BARC Week 31
Mumbai: Retaining its hold on the top position in BARC’s week 31 (31 July – 6 August) viewership ratings, STAR Plus recorded an average minute audience (AMA) of 2899.7. The channel has registered 2940.4 (000s) AMA in week 30.
STAR Maa and Sun TV exchanged places with the former bagging the second spot this time with 2719.88 AMA (2650.87 in week 30). Sun TV finished third at 2690.63 AMA (2693.6 in week 30).
The top three channels were followed by COLORS, STAR Utsav, Sony SAB, STAR Vijay, ZEE Telugu, Dhinchaak, and ZEE Anmol in that order. Dhinchaak moved one place up from the tenth position last week, while ZEE Anmol made an entry at the last spot, knocking off Sony Pal which was at the ninth position in week 30.
In the mega cities, STAR Plus topped the chart with 481.52 (000s) AMA, followed by COLORS, Sun TV, Sony SAB, and STAR Vijay.
The South market was dominated by Tamil GEC, Sun TV (2683.23 AMA). STAR Maa (Telugu), STAR Vijay (Tamil), ZEE Telugu, and ZEE Kannada followed.
In the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa showed a clear preference for STAR Pravah which clocked 1460.2 (000s) AMA. STAR Jalsha was the most viewed channel (1032.4) in West Bengal, Tarang (421.88) in Odisha, ZEE Kannada (1479.08) in Karnataka, STAR Utsav (246.6) in Rajasthan, and ZEE Anmol (402.48) 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.
