ITV

Category: Television

  • Odisha to host Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 from December 24

    Odisha to host Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 from December 24

    Mumbai: Backed with a successful, exciting and entertaining inaugural season that reached 164 million households, Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) is all geared up for its grand second edition, scheduled to kickstart on 24 December 2023, and final on 13 January 2024 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha.

    Inspired by Hon’ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision of ‘sports for youth, youth for future’, the Odisha government has not only hosted some of the major global sports events in the state, but it has also developed world-class multi-sport infrastructure and sporting experiences for sports enthusiasts from the state.

    “We are extremely excited to host the 2nd edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho in Odisha. This is an exciting opportunity for all of us. Kho-Kho is a sport that is not only played but widely followed as well in Odisha and hosting the second edition here will be a great opportunity for the people of the state to not only experience the spectacle live but also get inspired and pursue the game. We are fully committed to making the season a grand success,” commented minister of state, electronics & IT, sports & youth services, government of Odisha Tusharkanti Behera.

    UKK, promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, is dedicated to reinventing and promoting the indigenous sport in a more dynamic and engaging manner.

    “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Odisha Government and the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik for their support for the Season 2. The resounding success of the inaugural edition has attracted significant interest from brands and helped us secure new partners. Our focus remains on selecting partners who share our long-term vision. Season 2 aims to build new-age superstars of the future especially with the presence of younger talent on the field. Anticipate more intensified rivalries, thrilling action, more speed and innovations that will redefine the sports viewing experience, making it more immersive TV viewing experience,” commented Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and league commissioner Tenzing Niyogi.

    FinNest (A BNP Group Company), a private equity investment firm has recently invested in the Ultimate Kho Kho to multiply the indigenous growth story. BNP Group founder and chairman Dr. Biswanath Patnaik said: “BNP Group is thrilled to be part of this movement, reshaping homegrown sports into a contemporary spectacle and empowering indigenous aspiring youth to shine. Our mission is to take this movement forward, showcasing India’s best-kept sports to the world, promoting Indigenous sport and nurturing talent for the global stage. The Ultimate Kho Kho is part of our growing sports Investment profile, and we look forward to universal synergies.”

    UKK has revolutionised ‘desh ke mitti ka khel’ (the game of the country’s soil) and the inaugural edition of this indigenous sport’s league became a huge success, emerging as India’s third-largest non-cricket league in terms of TV audience reach.

    The success of the first season is evident in its impressive audience reach of 164 million. The league garnered a total viewership of 41 million in India and 64 million globally across TV and OTT platforms during the 34 matches held over three weeks. Additionally, Season 1 also recorded 60 million interactions and 225 million video views across platforms, surpassing any other non-cricket league. A standout feature of UKK Season 1 was the introduction of the spider cam, marking it the first indoor league in India to deploy this advanced technology in capturing one of the fastest sports.

    The Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 will feature India’s top 145 players, including 33 young talents aged between 16 to 18. Defending champions Odisha Juggernauts (owned by the Government of Odisha), Chennai Quick Guns (owned by KLO Sports), Gujarat Giants (owned by Adani Sportsline), Mumbai Khiladis (owned by Janhavi Dhariwal Balan, Punit Balan, and Badshah), Rajasthan Warriors (owned by Capri Global Group), and Telugu Yoddhas (owned by GMR Sports) will be the six franchises to fight for the coveted crown in the upcoming season. The exciting action from Season 2 will be broadcast live, and the fixtures will be announced soon.

  • Albert Kabo Lepcha wins Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2023 title

    Albert Kabo Lepcha wins Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2023 title

    Mumbai: After three months of being on the quest of perfecting their sur-taal through endless riyaaz and delivering some performances, Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2023 comes to an end. Throughout the season, viewers have watched the judges – Himesh Reshammiya, Anu Malik, and Neeti Mohan guide these budding singing sensations, while Aditya Naryan entertained one and all as the show’s host. And now, racing ahead of all the contestants, we have Albert Kabo Lepcha as the winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa amidst much fanfare and celebrations. A consistent performer throughout the season who was much loved by the judges and viewers of the show, Albert Kabo Lepcha was presented with the coveted trophy during the grand finale. On the other hand, finalists Nishtha Sharma and Ranita Banerjee were announced as the first and second runners-up respectively.  

    This season was all about the industry-first promise of giving its talent a chance to record original singles even before the season ends, every week one of the contestants got the golden chance to launch their OG song with Zee Music Co, and with the show drawing the curtains, the grand finale was nothing short of an entertainment extravaganza packed with some breathtaking performances and soulful acts. The final episode commenced with a power-packed performance by the top five finalists of the show – Sonia Gazmer, Sneha Bhattacharya, Nishtha Sharma, Albert Kabo Lepcha and Ranita Banerjee which left everyone spellbound. The episode was double the fun, as the judges were joined by the evergreen Govinda, his wife Sunita Ahuja, and veteran actress Aruna Irani. Not just that, the episode was co-hosted by Haarsh Limbachiyaa alongside Aditya Narayan.

    During the episode, viewers got to watch the legendary actor Govinda in his element, dancing to the song ‘Oo Haseena Zulfowaali’ along with the judge – Neeti Mohan. He also set the stage on fire with his performance to the song ‘Chadti Jawaani’ with the beautiful guest Aruna Irani. Not just that!  Govinda also sang a beautiful song – ‘Sathiya Nahi Jana Ke Jee Na Lage’ for his beloved wife – Sunita and while all the special moments as well as the performances kept everyone hooked, the final face off performance of the top 5 contestants left the audience glued to their television screens.

    Winner of the Sa Re Ga Ma 2023, Albert said, “This is a dream come true for me! Honestly, the competition was tough as all the contestants of the season were very talented, and I really feel grateful that I got to share the stage with them. My journey on the show has been a great learning experience and I would like to thank all my mentors and judges who have constantly supported me and helped me scale my potential as a singer. I even got the chance to record and release my own single, composed by the iconic Vivek kar; I received loads of love for that. I am definitely taking a bundle of memories along with me and looking forward to my new singing journey ahead. Thank you to each and every person for making this a beautiful experience.”  

    Himesh Reshammiya said, “First of all I would like to congratulate Albert, he has been consistent in giving his best throughout the season and has always exceeded expectations. He has surprised us week after week and always strived for perfection. Moreover, this time Sa Re Ga Ma Pa gave an amazing opportunity to all the contestants to release their original singles, which has certainly kickstarted their musical journey in the entertainment industry. Lastly, I would like to say all the best to all the contestants as they’ve started their careers and I am sure all of them will reach great heights in the future.”

    Neeti Mohan said, “According to me, all the top 5 are winners of this season, but of course, we can only have one winner. Albert’s win is very well deserved. I have loved and enjoyed his performances throughout the season, and I believe he is a really versatile singer with the potential to make his career in the industry. I am glad that I was able to witness such amazing talent perform in front of me. I wish the best for all the contestants; I am sure they all will work hard to fulfill their dreams in the music industry.”

    Anu Malik said, “I had a great experience working on this show and I would like to say ‘Congratulations Albert, I am so proud of you’.. From his first performance till today, I am glad that his hard work has finally paid off. I must say that this season has been incredible, and every contestant has left us floored by their amazing talent. During the show, I saw such wonderful talent and I also composed two OG songs, one for Rik Basu and the second one for Nishtha Sharma. Indeed, it was great working with them. My best wishes and blessings to all the contestants of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.”

    While the audience enjoyed every moment during the finale episode, the epic performances by the talented contestants will surely be an unforgettable experience for one and all.

    While Sa Re Ga Ma Pa culminated with a bang, stay tuned to Zee TV as the channel continues to entertain you with exciting fiction shows on a daily basis! 

  • Aap Ki Adalat: Minister Hardeep Puri optimistic about PoK joining India soon

    Aap Ki Adalat: Minister Hardeep Puri optimistic about PoK joining India soon

    Mumbai: Union petroleum and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri is optimistic about Pakistan occupied Kashmir joining India “soon”.

    Replying to questions from Rajat Sharma in ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ show, on India TV, Puri said, “the economic situation in Pakistan has deteriorated so much that after sometime, some parts of that country may like to merge with India”.

    Asked by Rajat Sharma when people of India will see Pak occupied Kashmir joining India, Puri replied: “Jaldi” (soon). He did not elaborate.

    Puri, who has been a diplomat for 39 years, said: “There has been a sea change in India-Pakistan relations in the last nine years. No more is India tagged with Pakistan. This has been possible because of Prime Minister Modi. Modi has three big characteristics: One, he does what he promises. Two, his dream of making India a developed nation by 2047 will become a reality. Three, in a deeply divided world, Modi is playing the role of a unifier. This became clear at the recently held G20 summit in India.”

    On the demand for Khalistan by separatists based in Canada, Hardeep Singh Puri said: “Let them create Khalistan in Canada, because most of the Khalistanis are based there. I consider this a cuckooland…….  Our 10th Guru Gobind Singh had formed the Khalsa. Today Sikhs constitute less than two per cent of India’s population, and yet Punjab dominates in agriculture, transport, medicine, law and other fields. …..With India fast emerging among the top three economies of the world, very soon we will find Indians living in US and Canada returning to India because of better economic opportunities.”

    On a recent report by Financial Times, London about US foiling a plan by Indian operatives to kill separatist Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, Hardeep Puri said: “I have a different opinion about Financial Times. It publishes news reports about oil daily, which I do not trust. It is not India’s policy to eliminate terrorists on foreign soil.”

    Asked by Rajat Sharma why enemies of India like Pannu should not be eliminated, Puri only replied: “Let me keep my feelings in my heart. I should not say more. But let me tell you, this is not our policy, not is it our system….Will they say Indian operatives carried out the Air India Kanishka bombing in 1985? Why is there violence, extremism and drugs in Canada? The terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was killed, was denied visa several times by the Canadian authorities.”

    Puri said, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been supporting separatists since long. “When he came to Amritsar, I and Navjot Singh Sidhu, then a minister in Punjab, received him and took him to Darbar Sahib. Trudeau had been critical of India since long on the issue of Khalistan separatists. Their behavior on this issue was ‘chid-chida'(harsh)”.

    Puri disclosed how at a lunch hosted for the Canadian PM by Modi, one of the Canadian ministers, Navdeep Singh Bains openly said, “I went to Canada and became a minister”. “I replied to him, ‘Look, I stayed in India and became a minister”, Puri said.

    Puri disclosed how in 2017, he got a sudden call from the Prime Minister’s office to come and meet Modi. “I was in Colombo at that time attending an Indian Ocean conference. I met the Prime Minister at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. He invited me for breakfast, and asked me to go to Rashtrapati Bhavan to take the oath of minister. I almost literally fell off my chair when he said this.  Later, I got the ticket for Rajya Sabha.”

    On Rahul Gandhi, Hardeep Singh Puri denied that he ever called him an “ass”. “It was a proverb that I was quoting. I was ‘getting an ass to run a horse’s race’. I never said, Rahul was a donkey.(Maine kabhi nahin kaha woh gadhaa hain). But on foolishness, I had said, there are three kinds of fools in the world – an ordinary one, an extraordinary one, and the third I call Chakravarthi.”

    Puri disclosed how as a special emissary of the government he had to travel through the jungle of Jaffna to meet LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran in 1987 to get his approval for India-Sri Lanka peace agreement. “There were landmines on the way, and we had to travel at night to avoid attacks. Our military adviser was an Indian Navy officer. It was a secretive mission. It was a professional high water for me”, Puri said.

  • Revenant Esports secures Brawl Stars world finals playoffs spot

    Revenant Esports secures Brawl Stars world finals playoffs spot

    Mumbai: Revenant Esports shines at Brawl Stars world finals 2023, Dominates day one in Sweden. The Indian powerhouse dazzles on the global stage, vying for the championship and a $750,000 prize pool.

    The sole Indian team at the world event, Revenant Esports is competing intending to bring the international trophy to the country. The team is now one step closer to achieving their goal following an impressive performance on day one, securing their advancement to the playoffs stage.

    Comprised of Jerome “Response” Jiaen, Joshua “Prime” Lim, Prashank “Trashant” Malik and led by the 18-year-old Indian prodigy, Ashmit “Sergeant Clash” Singh, the team had already scripted history by qualifying for the event – as they became the first team ever from India to make it to the Brawl Stars world finals, one of the most prestigious esports events globally.

    The team was sorted into group A, which comprised the North American heavyweights Luminosity Gaming and China’s BC Gaming. While the team fell to Luminosity, one-three, they staged a huge comeback against the Chinese teams. The intense best-of-five series saw the Indian squad come out on top with a scoreline of three-two.

    Reacting to making it to the playoffs stage, Revenant Esports’ Sergeant Clash, said, “Coming into the group stage of the Brawl Stars world finals 2023, we knew we had what it took to make it to the Playoffs. We lost to Luminosity in the first match due to some errors, but we didn’t let that set us down and worked together to rectify them. It’s a truly exhilarating feeling that we could take down BC Gaming and make it to the Playoffs. Our team is taking it one game at a time and kudos to the boys for keeping their nerves in such a high-stakes tournament.”

    Revenant Esports will now be seen in action in the quarterfinals of the Brawl Stars world finals 2023. They will compete against the winner of group C at 5:35 pm IST on 26, Nov 2023.

  • SFA Championships’ edition six records historic athlete participation

    SFA Championships’ edition six records historic athlete participation

    Mumbai: The Mumbai edition of SFA Championships 2023-2024, is set to commence with the stellar participation of over 17,000 athletes, competing in more than 30 categories of sports. With over 800 schools having confirmed their participation, the battle for discovering the “number one school in sports” in the city, seems to get tougher and intense.

    Priyadarshini Park Sports Complex, Mumbai University, Kalina, Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai Police grounds, Mumbai Hockey Association, National Sports Club of India – will be the hosting venues for school athletes from 26 November to 7 December. The sixth edition of SFA Championships has received an overwhelming number of registrations from Mumbai. With 64 per cent participation coming from male athletes and 36 per cent female athletes, the top preferred sports registered for are football, athletics, basketball, swimming and chess, showcasing the multifaceted talent that exists among the youth.

    In this Mumbai edition of the SFA Championships, gymnastics, skating, and speedcubing will be introduced for the first time. Skating is expected to witness the participation of nearly 700 athletes, Speedcubing and Gymnastics will see the involvement of close to 200 participants (for each sport), marking a promising beginning for these sports in the Championships. The 2023-2024 Mumbai edition of SFA Championships has athletics, basketball, football,  swimming, and skating as top sports participated by female athletes, whereas football, athletics, basketball, chess and swimming as top sports in male participation.

    SFA Championships are India’s largest multi-sport school competitions, enabling an opportunity for youth to unleash their fullest potential through joyful and inspiring sporting experiences. These Championships are revolutionising the way school sports are experienced in India. The vision is to host 150 championships across 50 cities, in the next five years. Building a single unifying platform to discover talent at the click of a button, across multi-sports, is how SFA has envisioned to encourage two lakh athletes to play at the 10 SFA Championships across Indore, Jaipur, Uttarakhand (Dehradun), Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, within a span of four months.

    The partnership of Sports For All (SFA) and Viacom18, will together make school sports accessible to millions of sports fans, across the country. Viacom18 will present the best action from the SFA Championships 2023-2024 starting 3 December on JioCinema, Sports18-2, and Sports18 Khel channels.

    Stay tuned to  www.sfaplay.com for all the match updates and school leaderboard. On Day 1, school athletes will be competing at Priyadarshini Park Sports Complex in athletics and tennis.

  • Top four football minds to discuss global fanbase and India’s growth at Leaders Meet: India

    Top four football minds to discuss global fanbase and India’s growth at Leaders Meet: India

    Mumbai: The Indian sports industry has seen an exhilarating journey in recent years. In 2022, it witnessed a surge in revenues, crossing the Rs 140 billion mark, recording a remarkable 49 percent increase from the preceding year. This, in itself, is a testament to the growing popularity of sports in India. While cricket continues to be a national passion, the excitement for diverse sports is reaching new heights. The Indian audience is now hooked to witness innovation, an enhanced experience, and greater engagement beyond the cricketing field.

    Leaders Meet: India, to be held in Bengaluru on 29 and 30 November, steps in as a catalyst where dialogues and idea exchange will be the centre of this transformation. The event will bring together the biggest game changers from across the sporting world, offering a truly global perspective on the present and future of the sports industry and how India can become a powerhouse in the business of sports.

    As we edge closer to the summit, here are four global sports leaders who have transformed and expanded the global football market and each, a trailblazer in their respective fields, will be sharing their perspectives and propelling discussion at the Leaders Meet: India.

    FIFA’s primary focus is to expand and develop football as well as democratize the sport globally. FIFA+ witnessed 211 million unique users for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and 190 million views on match recaps. Recently, FIFA+ has also expanded its availability on five new connected TV app. In order to bring more benefits for football fans, FIFA Digital Skills was launched in 2022 as an educational programme to develop the digital skills and expertise of professionals working in the global football community. This was a pet project of Charlotte Burr. The platform also included a dedicated e-learning platform, case studies of best practices, analysis of the latest technological trends and a series of live masterclasses for the ever increasing football community. At the Leaders Meet: India, as FIFA’s director of strategy for corporate development and digital, Charlotte Burr will be presenting the importance of India as a football market and what are possibilities for India to explore and become one of the biggest football growth market in the world.

    The Premier League’s annual TV audience is 4.7 billion and the game is viewed in 643 million homes worldwide. Fantasy Premier League too attracted 11.4 million participants from the world over last season and it became the primary touchpoint for the audience to engage with the league and develop a strong affinity with a particular club of liking. As Premier League chief commercial officer Will Brass will be giving an insider account on the business strategies about the world’s number one football league and also plans for India as a strong growth market for football.

    As per latest statistical data, Manchester United had the highest average attendance in the Premier League in the 2023/24 season, attracting crowds of around 73,488 to Old Trafford. Meanwhile, city rivals and Premier League champions Manchester City had an average attendance of 53,427. The club stands third in the revenue list (2021-22) and aims to only grow stronger and bigger fanbase. Ellie, with Formula 1, led the sport to grow its fan base, defined its vision, value & purpose and delivered sustainable growth for the game globally. And now with Manchester United, as their chief communications officer, Ellie Norman has been keeping fans back at the heart of the club. During the Leaders Meet: India, she will give insights on the ups and down through strategic marketing, partnerships, content and fan engagement.

    Tottenham Hotspur enjoy a massive fanbase in Korea as 12 million out of the country’s total population of 51 million supports the club which is almost one in four. Tottenham Hotspur has significantly hastened its digital development. The club revamped its website, recast its app and expanded its social media capabilities in line with this shift. While television growth has been significant, digital campaigns overtook traditional formats at Spurs. The club also fast-tracked its marketing tech stack build out and now has a strong following in the APAC region. To roll out the back story, Hotspur chief football officer Scott Munn will speak about the power of legacy fan base that will harness the Indian sub-continent football brand story at the Leaders Meet: India.

  • Mirror Now launches special series, “Mirror Now Against Cyber Scam”

    Mirror Now launches special series, “Mirror Now Against Cyber Scam”

    Mumbai:  Representing the voice and issues of every thinking urban Indian, Mirror Now has been the nation’s change headquarters driving conversations on pertinent topics that affect the daily lives of common people. Furthering its mission, the channel presents “Mirror Now Against Cyber Scam”, a special series that aims to address the rampant rise in cyber frauds and empower viewers with the guidance to stay vigilant and secure in the ever-evolving digital landscape.  Starting 24 November and airing every Friday at 7:30 pm, the 6-part series will be anchored by Shreya Upadhyaya.

    Over the years, Cybercrime has emerged in new and unique ways displacing people’s knowledge of safety and risk aversion associated with the various digital platforms. Mirror Now’s new series serves as a critical knowledge pool for the viewers to understand various facets of cybercrime, do’s and don’ts for safeguarding and immediate steps to be taken if scammed, including legal recourse with platforms and banks.

    Bringing expert voices to provide in-depth insights on the issue, Mirror Now Against Cyber Scam series will feature policymakers, cyber experts and police officials outlining actionable steps to ensure the safety of the citizens on cyber threats. The first episode airing today will bring forth the stories of various cybercrime victims and will also feature a special panel discussion with Amit Dubey, cyber security expert and former IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad adding authoritative perspectives to the critical discussion.

    Enlightening viewers with practical knowledge to assert their rights, the series will deep dive into various Cyber Laws in India, providing a lucid and comprehensive understanding of how each law functions. The series will also focus on unravelling the intricacies of cybercrime, including the demographic details of the criminals and their targeted strategies. 

  • ‘Bawaal’ all set for world TV premiere on Zee Cinema

    ‘Bawaal’ all set for world TV premiere on Zee Cinema

    Mumbai: “Beta mahol aisa banaao ki logon ko mahol yaad rahe…result nahi” But what happens when your outer appearance tries to take control over you and your image is all that matters? Brace yourselves for a story of love, ego, clashes and through an unexplored backdrop as Zee Cinema presents the World Television Premiere of Bawaal. Starring the dynamic duo, Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, this family drama takes you on a wild ride through the life of Ajay Dixit, an image-conscious history teacher in Lucknow. His life philosophy? “Fake it till you make it” Will his carefully constructed façade sustain or crumble like a house of cards? Find out on Saturday 25 November at 8 pm with the World Television Premiere of Bawaal only on Zee Cinema.

    Bawaal is a heartfelt family drama that tugs at the strings of emotion, weaving through the intricacies of familial relationships. With a focus on life’s lessons, the film transcends the ordinary and explores the vulnerabilities that define family bonds.

    On the world television premiere of the film, Janhvi Kapoor said, “While portraying Nisha in the film, I discovered a character defined by silent strength and unwavering hope. She has her own set of struggles – relationship, health and societal but despite all of that, she embodies courage, intelligence, and moral aspiration. Like Nisha, I value observation over constant expression. Nowadays people are very image driven and, in a world, obsessed with image, her story encourages us to find courage in authenticity, and appreciate life’s simpler joys.”

    Director Nitesh Tiwari said, “My philosophies are based on my own experiences for so many years. I have started believing very strongly that whatever happens, happens for the best. With all my films, I always try to keep my ideologies intact, ideologies that become the guiding light of the project. One of the strongest human feelings for me is ‘empathy’. That is my strongest take away from the film and I hope audiences take that away too when they watch the film on Zee Cinema. And to tell you the truth, when Bawaal came along, I only had Varun and Janhvi in mind, I’ve always felt that they have the ability to experiment and willingness to explore concepts.”

    Varun Dhawan – The film unfolds life’s uncertainties; I find solace in the belief that God has greater plans. If it happens according to the mind, it’s good; if it doesn’t happen according to the mind, it’s still good. Today, people are not fearless. Every human being has to fight their insecurities at every step. Bawaal brought this reality closer and challenged me to step into a character far from my own. It reflects the raw truth of today’s filtered lives. But amidst everything, teaming up with Janhvi was a blast! Off-screen, she’s a riot—quirky, funny, and genuinely an oddball in the best way possible. She’s one of a kind and that’s what makes her so special.

    In this emotionally charged family drama, Ajay Dixit, a charismatic middle school teacher known as Ajju, navigates life with a facade of success. Married to the vibrant Nisha, for superficial reasons, Ajju’s insecurities lead him to mistreat her. Faced with suspension at work, Ajju devises a unique plan to escape scrutiny by embarking on an unconventional journey with Nisha. As they traverse through life’s complexities, the film unravels their journey of self-discovery, exposing the couple’s vulnerabilities, shortcomings, and the truths that shape their lives. Will Ajay and Nisha emerge victorious in the battle against misunderstandings?

    Mark your calendars for Saturday 25 November at 8 pm, as you witness the Bawaal only on Zee Cinema!

  • News18 Kannada’s ‘Rising Karnataka’ – a gateway to conversations shaping the state’s future

    News18 Kannada’s ‘Rising Karnataka’ – a gateway to conversations shaping the state’s future

    Mumbai: News18 Kannada proudly announces ‘Rising Karnataka’ an initiative aimed at fostering thought leadership and critical conversations within the state. The event will take place on 25 November 2023, at 4 pm at the Conrad Bengaluru. ‘Rising Karnataka’ promised to bring together eminent decision-makers, leaders, and orators to explore the potential of Karnataka.

    Mentioned below are the key sessions and panels to be included at the event –

    Karnataka Model – Chief Minister of Karnataka Sidhramaiah, will share insights about the state model, which will be followed by a detailed question and answer session.

    Brand Bengaluru – The panel will consist of distinguished panelists that include deputy chief minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar; actor Dr. Shivarajkumar & Karnataka State Vision Group chairman & Accel founding partner Prashanth Prakash who will be discussing the essence of Brand Bengaluru.

    Kannada for the next 50 years – featuring music composer Raghu Dixit; Banavasi Balaga president Anand G; and actor Daali Dhananjay this session will delve into the future of Kannada language and culture.

    Women in the development of the State – The panel consists of notable figures such as Minister of Women and Child Development  Lakshmi Hebbalkar; actress Ranjani Raghavan; and Airra Academy Founder & Chairman Amitha Prakash who will be discussing the role of women in shaping Karnataka’s future.

    Faith & spirituality in the Development of the State: Shri Shri Nirmalananda Swamiji from Adichunchanagiri Mutt will be seen providing insights on the spiritual dimension of Karnataka’s development

    Future Karnataka Panel: Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT-BT, Rural Development, and Panchayat Raj, Rohit MA , co-founder & director, Cloudnine group of Hospitals and Vivekananda H R, co-founder & CEO, Bounce will lead discussions on the future trajectory of Karnataka

    News18 Kannada ‘Rising Karnataka’ initiative has welcomed stakeholders such as KASSIA, the Retail Association of Karnataka, the Hotel Association of Karnataka, bureaucrats, and members of FKCCI.

    Join News18 Kannada ‘Rising Karnataka’ at Conrad Bengaluru on 25 November at 4 pm for a day of insightful conversations, innovation, and a glimpse into what the future holds for Karnataka.

  • Upendrra Rai pays humble tribute to ‘Saharasri’ with special film unveiling unseen aspects

    Upendrra Rai pays humble tribute to ‘Saharasri’ with special film unveiling unseen aspects

    Mumbai: Sahara India Group founder Subrata Roy Sahara, bid farewell to the world at the age of 75 on November 14. As the news of Subrata Roy’s demise spread, a wave of mourning swept through the business world. Popularly known as ‘Saharasri,’ Sahara initiated his business journey from Gorakhpur, laying the foundation of ‘Sahara India Pariwar’, which later illuminated the lives of millions of families. In memory of Saharasri, a film based on his life will be aired on Bharat Express News channel on November 23 at 8 PM, followed by a humble tribute.

    Bharat Express chairman Upendrra Rai was closely associated with Saharasri. Upon hearing the news of Saharasri’s demise, Rai was deeply moved. While paying tribute to Saharasri, Rai expressed, “The untimely passing of Sahara Shri felt like a disruption to the natural rhythm of life. His was a multifaceted persona that drew both admirers and critics. The metamorphosis from Chandan to Subrata Roy, the evolution of Subrata Roy into Subrata Roy Sahara, and ultimately the emergence of Sahara Shri is a singular and emotionally poignant journey. I consider it my duty to unveil the real man behind the regal and glamorous image—a person untouched by the surrounding glitterati, leading a life of detachment akin to that of a hermit. Depth of Love and passion being his two greatest traits often misunderstood by some. I had the good fortune of conversing with Sahara Shri just 120 hours before his demise. It was surprising to witness how unfazed he was by the inevitability of death even at this stage. Rarely have I encountered anyone accepting this ultimate reality of life with such sangfroid. This movie, scheduled to be broadcast on Bharat Express, serves as a humble tribute from both myself and the Bharat Express News Network to the departed soul.”

    After laying the foundation of ‘Sahara India Pariwar’, Roy elevated it to great heights. Through Sahara India, the company reached every household in the country, and Saharasri’s influence extended beyond the borders of the nation, even reaching London. The stature of ‘Saharasri’ was such that many dignitaries from politics to Bollywood and the sports world frequented his presence. Many of them shared a good friendship with him. At one time, a job in Sahara Group was seen as akin to a government job. People dreamed of being associated with this company.

    Now Saharasri is no more, but as long as he was in this world, he always remained close to his admirers. From Bihar to Bengal, Gorakhpur to Lucknow, and London—Saharasri’s journey continued incessantly, establishing new milestones. He received numerous awards and honors for his unparalleled achievements as Saharasri.