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Television ad volumes see uptick during past two weeks
NEW DELHI: After a momentary dip in week 18, the past two weeks saw a rise in ad volumes on television, reveals the ninth edition of BARC-Nielsen ‘Crisis Consumption on TV and smartphones’ report, launched Friday. However, they still remained 23 per cent lower than pre-Covid period and 35 per cent lesser than the peak performance of week 12.
The advertiser count on television also showed an uptick of three per cent in week 20, while the brand variants noticed a 14 per cent increase as compared to the last week. The total advertiser count on TV became 1370, and brand/variants were 2106 in number. A few examples of new advertisers in week 20 include Vivo, Cadbury, Kia Motors, Faasos, Bajaj, Sharp India, Hoichoi, and Apple. A few examples of new brands in week 20 include Vivo V19, Kia Seltos, Cadbury’s 5 Star, Nivea Soft, Apple iPhoneSE.
Also, inventory levels of categories present during summer also raised in the last two weeks, with soft drinks and air coolers raising their inventories the most.
If we look genre-wise, impressive growth has been witnessed in the news section over the past two weeks, with FCT growing from 70.7 lakh in week 18 to 79.6 lakh in week 20. GEC volumes have flattened from week 14 onwards; however, there has been a growth in the past two weeks.
However, both the music and movies channels have been enjoying an uptick in the last two weeks.
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.
