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Star Plus, Sab begin 2014 on a good note
MUMBAI: The new year, it seems, has been really good for the general entertainment channels (GECs), especially Star Plus and Sab, which have hit the highest ratings ever in the week 01 of TAM TV ratings.
Star Plus leads the flock with 647,066 GVTs (605514 TVTS). Thanks to the Big Star Entertainment Award that aired on the New Year’s eve and became the highest rated award show in the history of Hindi GECs. It garnered 12,369 TVTs. However, its celebrity dance reality show Nach Baliye 6 saw a slight drop with 3,523 TVTs (3,653). The epic series Mahabharat saw a fall in its viewership and stood at 6,811 TVTs (7,026 TVTs).
Colors strongly stood at number two garnering 522,158 GVTs (527,226 GVTs). Its two new fiction series worked wonders for the channel. While Beintehaa reported 2,964 TVTs and Rangrasiya saw a good start as well with 3,199 TVTs. Its comedy show – Comedy Nights with Kapil that continues to make people laugh, garnered 8,973 TVTs (8,772 TVTs).
Third placed, Zee TV notched up and took its tally to 449,211 GVTs (430,836 GVTs). The channel’s sitcom Bh se Bhade registered a decline in its viewership and marked 1,534 TVTs (1,793 TVTs). Its fiction property, Doli Armaanon Ki ‘Shaadi’ special event scored 2,753 TVTs. The dance reality show Dance India Dance 4 kept its glued to the tube with its innovative dance styles and moves and scored 4,410 TVTs (4,309 TVTs) on Saturday and 3,687 TVTs (4,844 TVTs) on Sunday.
Sab touched its highest ratings ever as it reported 360,848 GVTs (330,358 GVTs). Life OK held to its fifth position as it scored 323,456 GVTs (323,589 GVTs).
Sony continues to occupy the number six spot with 266,161 GVTs (271,852 GVTs). Its two new offerings – Main Na Bhoolungi and Ekk Nayi Pehchaan also couldn’t do much as they scored 884 TVTs (1,144 TVTs) and 1,965 TVTs (1,900 TVTs) respectively. Its non-fiction property, Boogie Woogie Kids Championship too saw a drop in its fourth week and garnered only 2,488 TVTs (2,957 TVTs).
Sahara One remains at the bottom of the chart marking no major difference and earned 36,162 GVTs (34,888 GVTs).
In the movie channel genre, Zee Cinema reported 200,662 GVTs (211,750 GVTs); Star Gold registered 195,587 GVTs (191,863 GVTs) and Movies OK scored 143,920 GVTs (123,375 GVTs). While &pictures notched up and scored 91,406 GVTs (76,440 GVTs), Zee Anmol marked 71,855 GVTs (62,566 GVTs) and Max scored 221,690 GVTs (212,954 GVTs).
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.
