SatyamevJayate

90 million people watched episode one of Aamir Khan's Satyamev Jayate making it the highest rated show with a 4.1 television rating (TVR), according to Television Audience Measurement (TAM) data.

The first episode, which talked about female foeticide, reached out to 2.67 crore viewers, reported TAM. This, extrapolated to an all India (including urban and rural viewers) reach with Indian Readership Survey (IRS), means that over 90 million viewers tuned in to watch the episode.

Satyamev Jayate recorded a 4.1 TVR (TAM, All India that includes viewers over four years old) debuting ahead of Kaun Banega Crorepati 5, which registered a 3.5 TVR in 2011. The data covered the entire Indian market, including cable and terrestrial homes, where only DD is beamed.

The first episode of Satyamev Jayate was broadcast on May 6 in eight languages on nine channels, including seven STAR TV network channels, ETV Telugu and national broadcaster DD1.
The numbers just add to the overwhelming positive sentiment from ordinary viewers and testimonials from celebrities. It has generated much buzz on the internet with Satyamev Jayate becoming more popular than host Aamir on search engine Google India. It also trended on Twitter, occupying the top five slots out of 10.

The first episode also prompted a reaction from the Rajasthan government, with chief minister Ashok Gehlot promising to set up a fast track court which would resolve pending cases of female foeticide and illegal sex determination tests in the state.

Satyamev Jayate Episode 1st - 6th May 2012
Large-scale killing of girls before birth has led to a serious gender imbalance in the Indian population, and severe social problems as a result


Expecting a child is often a nightmare for women who are pressurized to produce a boy under pain and torture.

Contrary to popular belief, female foeticide happens among the urban, educated sections as much as in the rural areas.

Society, the law and the official machinery often turn a blind eye and those who try to find a solution face harassment

A dearth of women due to female foeticide will result in them being traded like commodities. The horrible truth is that this is already happening.

The solution lies in amending the system, changing official and social attitudes, and in taking individual action.