News Headline
Star World & AXN gain significantly while Comedy Central & Animal Planet slip awfully
MUMBAI: Comedy Central exited and Star World entered the top five English entertainment channels’ list in BARC week 18 viewership ratings even as Zee Cafe continued to dominate the genre.
Players in the infotainment genre saw a mixed rating as Animal Planet slipped two slots but National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild climbed a slot each, whereas, the lifestyle genre observed the entry of TLC this week.
English Entertainment
Zee Cafe secured its number one position with a slight fall in the rating from 371 Impressions (000s) sum last week to 332 Impressions (000s) sum in BARC week 18. FX climbed a slot to the second position with 202 Impressions (000s) sum followed by AXN reaching third from the fifth position with 197 Impressions (000s) sum.
Star World made an entry into the Top 5 with 157 Impressions (000s) sum to the fourth position. Colors Infinity SD dropped to the fifth spot with 119 Impressions (000s) sum as compared to 219 Impressions (000s) sum last week.
Infotainment
History TV 18, with a hike in ratings, ranked at the first place with 4994 Impressions (000s) sum as compared to 4604 Impressions (000s) sum last week followed by Discovery Channel with 4875 Impressions (000s) sum. National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild climbed a spot each at third and fourth positions with 2778 Impressions (000s) sum and 2610 Impressions (000s) sum, respectively.
Animal Planet slipped two slots to the fifth position with 2405 Impressions (000s) sum as compared to 3040 Impressions (000s) sum last week.
Lifestyle
Witnessing a decent increase in the rating, Living Foodz retained its number one position with 2083 Impressions (000s) sum as compared to 1518 Impressions (000s) sum last week. Food Food and FYI TV18 interchanged their positions and came second and third spot this time, respectively, with 836 Impressions (000s) sum and 753 Impressions (000s) sum. Fox Life with 712 Impressions (000s) sum emerged at the fourth position which was followed by TLC, a new entry to Top 5 with 468 Impressions (000s) sum.
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.
