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Vivo IPL 2018 final breaks multiple viewership records
MUMBAI: The VIVO IPL final on 27 May 2018 garnered a record viewership on both digital and TV, as per figures released by the broadcaster Star. The final, which was aired live on 17 channels across eight different languages, powered the network’s growth by 34 per cent with 52.9 million average impressions.
The final between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad was produced with 11 live feeds across the TV network and Hotstar. The match had the highest reach (211 million across screens) in the history of the cash-rich league.
Hotstar hit a world record for concurrent online viewing with 10.7 million viewers for the final. The contest that saw CSK’s Shane Watson score a century to hand the yellow brigade its third IPL trophy helped Hotstar create a new record of over 10 million concurrent users.
The match witnessed a sudden hike from eight million to 9.1 million and then to 9.7 million before hitting the 10.7 million mark.
The Grand Finale on television was watched by a historic 160 million fans across Star TV network (not including DD) versus last year’s figure of 121 million, recording a 32 per cent growth in reach. This is the highest television reach recorded for any match in the history of the tournament.
The television viewership for the tournament as measured by average half hourly time-weighted impressions was 1.4 billion impressions (U+R 2+) with a growth of 15 per cent. The viewership growth in urban audiences was 26 per cent.
The total television viewership for the tournament as measured by gross impressions was 9.985 billion impressions with a growth of 19 per cent across urban + rural and 30 per cent in urban audiences.
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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.
