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TRAI intensifies efforts to overhaul TV audience measurement & ratings system
MUMBAI: Stepping up efforts to improve India's television audience measurement and ratings system, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) last week invited sealed limited tenders for organising a Hackathon. Hackerearth, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Persistent Systems Ltd and Mettl were the four companies listed in the sector regulator's limited tender.
TRAI said it intends to engage a reputed agency for the purpose of conducting a hackathon “to find out the possible solutions” for TV audience measurement and ratings in India, the mandate for which currently rests with BARC India.
The eligible bidders shall conduct the hackathon on behalf of TRAI, covering all the technical, management, logistics and marketing aspects of it. The event will be conducted in two phases: online and offline.
The online phase will be open for participants across India for submitting idea/synopsis based on the TRAI's objective. The shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in phase-II, which will be offline. In this phase participants will build on their ideas in a 36-hour Hackathon in Bengaluru and present their final solutions.
While the tender was floated on 9 August, the last date for receipt of the order is 16 August. As per the regulator’s instructions, the successful bidder shall complete the Hackathon within a period of 45 days from the date of award of work.
The role of hire /selected agency in the Hackathon would be as follows:
· Organise and execute the hackathon
· Assisting TRAI in defining problem statement
· Provide platform for hackathon
· Develop hackathon webpage for registration and submission of ideas
· Arrangements for publicity of hackathon through different mediums including social media
· Identification, coordination and inviting participants/teams for hackathon
· Evaluate the ideas submitted in phase-I
· Invite and co-ordinate all participants/teams shortlisted in phase-I for
· Participating in phase-Il
· Organise the on-ground logistics for Phase-Il
· Identify jury members from the industry
· Assist TRAI in evaluating and judging the final solutions to the problem statement in phase-Il.
In December 2018, TRAI issued a consultation paper on "Review of Television Audience Measurement and Ratings in India" seeking comments from the stakeholders.
In addition to that, Open House Discussions (OHDs) on the consultation paper were conducted in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Stakeholders in their written comments and during OHDs highlighted issues related to the development of technological solutions for TV audience measurement without manual intervention.
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.
