News Headline
Star Plus, Zee TV & Life OK gain big
MUMBAI: The war for the ‘best among the rest’ continues even as the general entertainment channels (GECs) saw no change in the positions this week. In the week 25 of TAM TV ratings, while Star Plus, Zee TV and Life OK gained big, the other GECs saw a drop in the viewership.
Thus, Star Plus continues to be at the top with 660,737 GVTs, up from 625,842 GVTs. The channel’s mythological series Mahabharat witnessed a slight drop and stood at 6,368 TVTs, down from 6,472 TVTs. Its fiction offerings also noticed a drop in the viewership. Thus, its chart topper Diya Aur Baati Hum recorded 8,953 TVTs, down from 9,361 TVTs, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai noted 6,087 TVTs, down from 6,185 TVTs. But that wasn’t the case with Saathiya Saath which saw a huge jump and scored 8,149 TVTs, up from 6,856 TVTs.
Second placed Zee registers 400,337 GVTs, up from 375,662 GVTs. Its historic property Jodha Akbar scored 7,664TVTs, down from 7,736TVTs. Kumkum Bhagya saw a rise in the ratings and registered 4,943 TVTs, up from 3,538 TVTs. Qubool Hai garnered 4,402 TVTs, up from 3,791 TVTs.
Despite a fall, Colors retained its number three position with 351,470 GVTs, down from 365,827 GVTs. Its first-of-its-kind property, Mission Sapne which allows celebrities from different walks of life to leverage their fame for the benefit of the common man, saw a drop in the ratings this week. It scored 1,668 TVTs, down from 2,836 TVTs. On the other hand, Comedy Nights with Kapil witnessed a jump in the viewership with 5,854 TVTs, up from 5,582 TVTs. Talking about the channel’s fiction offerings; Balika Vadhu saw a rise in the ratings and noted 4,473 TVTs, up from 3,938 TVTs.
Life OK at number four witnessed 332,990 GVTs, up from 319,452 GVTs. Gustakh Dil scored 1,829 TVTs, down from 2,019 TVTs, Tumhari Pakhi noted 2,348 TVTs, down from 2,515 TVTs. The channel’s non-fiction properties Shapath garnered 2,676 TVTs, up from 2,510 TVTs.
Sony Entertainment Television (SET) saw a fall in the ratings and garnered 297,528 GVTs, down from 300,118 GVTs. Maharan Veer Pratap recorded 3,148 TVTs, down from 3,341 TVTs. Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega also witnessed a fall and registered 2,085 TVTs, down from 2,222 TVTs. CID stood at 3,341 TVTs, down from 3,411 TVTs.
Sab at number six garnered 279,412 GVTs, down from 286,993 GVTs. Its fiction offerings have worked well for the channel. Thus, the channel’s chart topper Tarak Mehta scored 7,034 TVTs, up from 6,159 TVTs and Chidiya Ghar registered 2,777 TVTs, up from 2,448 TVTs.
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.
