News Broadcasting

Subhash Chandra contributes Rs 5k cr to DSC Foundation as Essel completes 90 years

Published

9 years ago

May 15, 2017

MUMBAI: India’s leading multi-billion dollar business conglomerate, the Essel Group, is celebrating 90 years of innovation, leadership, growth and transforming the world. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the Essel Group, led by its chairman, Dr. Subhash Chandra, has announced the launch of the DSC Foundation by contributing Rs 5000 crore his family wealth, the ‘Sarthi’ initiative and its English global news network, WION – World Is One News, in presence of President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. The Group also honored the winners of the first-edition of the Zee Media Family Business Legacy Awards – Dabur India Ltd., Wagh Bakri Tea Group and Wockhardt Ltd.

Held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, this extravaganza was attended by eminent personalities from the world of politics, business, sports, film and entertainment, including Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Smt. Smriti Irani, Union Minister of Textiles, Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Najma Akbarali Heptulla, Governor of Manipur, Lt Gen (Retd.) Nirbhay Sharma, Governor of Mizoram, Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, Swami Avdeshanandji and Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji, amongst others.

Mukherjee congratulated Essel Group on completion of its 90 years and on the launch of new initiatives such as WION-World is One News, Sarthi- an initiative of becoming a bridge between the government and masses and DSC Foundation. He appreciated the spirit of the celebrations i.e. ‘Young at 90′. He said that one should always remain young and look at issues with fresh new perspectives.

He said that, unlike 90 years ago, the situation in the world is very different today. Information Technology and communication has brought about major changes. Although technology always has a disruptive impact but if society is ready to accept challenges, it can utilize it well. He said that thanks to our ingenuity and ability we have absorbed and advanced technology.

The President said that media has a far reaching impact and influence on people. Today indeed the world is one. He said that while facts and news remain one, views may be different. It is important to maintain objectivity and truthfulness in news. Media must take note of the positive things taking place in day to day life. Speaking about such positive things he mentioned that during the Annual National Innovation Festival at Rashtrapati Bhavan many young innovators display solutions to daily problems of life. The President said that in the next ten years the Essel Group would be organizing its centenary celebrations. He said that they should remain young even at 100, remain young forever.

Modi described the programme as an illustration of Indian traditions. He said that India has had a tradition where successive generations take family values forward, and contribute to the family by adding their capacities and capabilities. He recalled his earlier meetings with Nandkishore Goenka and said the family has always been open to new ideas, and has taken every challenge as an opportunity, to create a presence in a range of initiatives from “soil to satellite.” Appreciating the social initiatives of the Essel Group, the Prime Minister said that the Swachh Bharat Mission provides opportunities for a large number of social entrepreneurs to emerge. He said that while “Sarthi” presented a good blend of rights and duties, the DSC Foundation would help build a large number of job creators.

The Prime Minister urged everyone present to work towards specific goals for what they could do for the country by 2022 – the 75th anniversary of independence.

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and Chairman – Essel Group, Dr. Subhash Chandra said: “This journey of 90 years has been filled with remarkable successes as well as challenges and obstacles. It has been a journey of creating history, venturing into unknown territories, only to emerge as leaders, capitalising on our pioneering vision and sheer entrepreneurial spirit. As we look to the future, I am confident that we will carry forward the legacy of the Group with complete passion, dedication and above all, the spirit of #YoungAt90! On this occasion, we are launching our new initiatives – Sarthi, DSC Foundation and WION, that will empower the lives of the people. Sarthi will provide a platform to help people with their problems by connecting them to the right persons and then taking it to the logical conclusion. With WION, we want to provide a medium which will give people news from around the world and how it affects India. This initiative is not for profit, but a medium for society and the nation to benefit.”

“Through the DSC Foundation, we will be building capacity in the society to take on problems and tackle them. We are pledging Rs. 5000 crore out of our profits towards this Foundation.”

On this milestone anniversary, Mukherjee launched yet another pioneering initiative of the Essel Group – ‘Sarthi’, an initiative that seeks to create a nation where citizens are well informed about their rights and duties and empowered enough to raise their voices against the problems faced by them, which are then effectively addressed and resolved. The word ‘Sarthi’ means ‘the one who drives us in the right direction’ and true to its name, this mission aims to become a guiding force that propels change in the lives of people through constructive interventions. Sarthi is a network of like-minded institutions (corporate foundations, non-government organizations, volunteers, trusts, community based organizations, concerned government departments) who are working towards the common goal of building a well – informed and empowered nation to bring about sustainable positive change.

The Essel Group also announced the winners of the first-edition of Zee Media Family Business Legacy Awards which aim to honor and recognise India’s oldest family-run businesses which have expanded their empires over successive generations. To select the winners, entries from Business Groups which spanned atleast four generations and had a turnover of at least Rs.1000 crore, were first invited across the television, print and online platforms of the Essel Group. The entries received were then verified by Ernst & Young, the internal process partner, using rigorous criteria to arrive at the final winners.

The winners of the first-edition of the Zee Media Family Business Legacy Awards are Dabur India Ltd., Wagh Bakri Tea Group and Wockhardt Ltd.

Mukherjee conferred the awards on the recipients – Dr. Anand C. Burman, Chairman, Dabur India Ltd., Mr. Piyush Ochhavlal Desai, Chairman, Wagh Bakri Tea Group and Dr. Murtaza Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt Ltd. respectively.

To further mark this significant occasion, Modi launched Dr. Subhash Chandra (DSC) Foundation, the brainchild of Rajya Sabha MP & Essel Group Chairman, Dr. Subhash Chandra, which aims to help budding entrepreneurs and educationists, by not just providing them with funds but by creating a chain model. The proposed model of DSC Foundation will not just be a financial provider but will ensure that the recipients of the financial support from DSC Foundation will have to give back to the society by mutual consent. Unlike any other NGO, the financial assistance provided from DSC Foundation is not a loan that has to be paid back to the Foundation, but in return the recipients have to then help some other person in need.

On this prestigious platform, Dr. Subhash Chandra also launched WION – World is One News’, the first-ever global news network. A revolutionary product from the Zee Media stable, WION, with its headquarters in India, represents a sophisticated transition from the usual ‘Breaking News’ phenomenon and brings exclusive and insightful content that often escapes popular media. Targeting upscale viewers in India as well as the Indian diaspora, WION’s endeavor is to showcase content that truly represents the spirit of South Asia with focus on India. WION meets the aspirations of 2 billion South Asians in creating a global TV network that reflects a South Asian view of global events and news. The goal of the channel is to engage and empower viewers through balanced and extraordinary storytelling on digital, mobile and television platforms.

The event was hosted by Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor-in-Chief of Zee News, Zee Business, WION and DNA, and witnessed a beautiful performance of ‘Vande Mataram’ by the artists of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs and Dance India Dance.

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News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.