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Virat Kohli drives Star Sports 3 to no. 1 spot, fourth test rules ratings
MUMBAI: When the Indian superstar Virat Kohli was hitting his third double-century for India, he was setting a weekly record off the pitch too. The Test captain helped Star Network in television viewership, replacing Ten 1 as the most viewed channel in Week 49.
For Week 50 of 2016 (10 December to 16 December), Star Sports 3 became the most watched channel in all-India BARC data which takes both the rural and urban market into consideration.
Star Sports 3 got 188045 impressions, about 60,000 more than the second place Star Sports 1, which broadcast the India-England Test series with English commentary and got 124335 impressions. Last week’s pace-setter Ten 1 has fallen to the third spot, garnering just 64287 impressions. Star Sports 2 and Ten 2 finish the list with 26133 and 12322 impressions, respectively.
In the programmes’ bracket, the fourth test swept off the sports’ ratings chart. Star Sports 3 took the first three spots, with a total of 11251 Impressions. The last two spots have been taken by Star Sports 1, which got a total of 5333 Impressions. This comes as a little wake-up call for Sony Network’s Ten, which ruled the roost last week with Ten 1 being the No. 1 channel and WWE TLC leading the programme’s list.
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.
