Tag: ABP Network

  • The notion of democracy is that a thousand voices should be heard: P. Thiaga Rajan

    The notion of democracy is that a thousand voices should be heard: P. Thiaga Rajan

    Mumbai:  “The notion of democracy is that a thousand voices should be heard. We should try and figure out policies; if that doesn’t work, we should recalibrate and readjust.”, P. Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology & Digital Services, Tamil Nadu, remarked advocating for federalism in India at ABP Network’s “The Southern Rising” Summit.

    In the session titled “State of the Union: Why India Needs Federalism,” Mr. Rajan shares his insights on the importance of a federal structure in India’s governance, said, “When you get economic development, we need to devolute power so that money can go to the local body.”

    “There’s an opportunity cost especially in the post-pandemic years, when there is a global demand for investment locations and trading partner to replace China that India should be doing a lot more to capitalize upon the opportunity.” P. Thiaga Rajan asserted, speaking on the economic growth of India. He further added, “There has been more of rhetoric and not enough on delivery. The outside investors should see India as a level playing field.”

    “Governance culture of Southern states is different. We have better outcomes because we have different Governance,” P Thiaga Rajan remarked. Further echoing the voice of the Southern States, the MLA from Madurai Central, said, “The South has disparate outcomes and disparate problems; it needs disparate solutions.”

    Sharing his observation upon the shared belief of religion in the South, P. Thiaga Rajan, expressed, “Belief in God doesn’t mean putting someone down”

    ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit was conceptualized and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India.  It aims to celebrate the spirit and richness of southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit will see keen deliberations and sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.  

  • AI cannot judge or feel the pulse of the audience: Musicians Mahesh Raghvan and Nandini Shankar

    AI cannot judge or feel the pulse of the audience: Musicians Mahesh Raghvan and Nandini Shankar

    Mumbai: AI cannot judge or feel the pulse of the audience, and seeing original music garnering millions of views on YouTube is very encouraging, said the musician couple Mahesh Raghvan and Nandini Shankar at ABP Network’s The Southern Rising Summit. The couple, who rose to fame with their musical video, “The Kapi Dance,” shared their musical journey and how they found love while collaborating on the song during a session titled ‘Making Music: Crafting A New Style’ at the Summit.

    “I started with music when I was 3. Later, I discovered an app on my iPad that allowed me to play Indian notes. Kapi is a raga in Carnatic music, which is equivalent to raga Mishra Pilu in Hindustani music which became the inspiration for The Kapi Dance,” said Raghvan.

    Talking about whether AI technology will spoil creativity, he said, “AI cannot judge or feel the pulse of the audience. In every profession, you have certain tools to help you, but in the end, what matters is how much you learn, how much knowledge you have. What truly matters is how much the audience loves your music, and that completely depends on the musician.”

    Adding to this, Nandini elaborated,” We shot the video in Chennai, and it is an original song. Seeing such support, appreciation, and getting over a million views is definitely encouraging for us.”

    Apart from finding success in their musical careers, Mahesh and Nandini also found love while collaborating on their common passion – music. Speaking about their first meeting, Shankar said, ” I first followed her on Instagram. After talking, we decided to meet a few months later to collaborate on the song. Later, we became friends and eventually decided to get married.”

    Meanwhile, Nandini, who is also a chartered accountant and comes from a family of musicians, has also worked as an investment advisor for a bank. Sharing about how she decided to make music her career, she said, “The importance of education was never undermined in my family. I topped my school and chose to become a Chartered Accountant. I worked as an investment advisor for a bank, but since I was working five days a week with the bank and performing during the weekend, it was then I decided to pursue music.”

    The musical couple performed a classical rendition of their popular music video, “The Kapi Dance,” and enthralled the audience with their musical talent at the Summit.

    The ‘Southern Rising’ Summit was conceptualized and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. It aimed to celebrate the spirit and richness of the southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit witnessed profound deliberations and the sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.

     

  • Actor Rana Daggubati foresees AI-driven personalised cinema experience

    Actor Rana Daggubati foresees AI-driven personalised cinema experience

    Mumbai:  AI will disrupt everyone’s lives. You will see interactive cinema getting personalised on devices through OTT, said actor Rana Daggubati at ABP Network’s The Southern Rising Summit.  He was speaking during a session titled ‘So Many Cinemas: Celebrating India’s Diversity.’ The event also witnessed the presence of popular actor and director Revathy, and music composer, environmentalist and three times Grammy Award Winner Ricky Kej who shared their thoughts on various aspects during the Summit.

    Speaking about tech enhancements such as the shift from film to digital and various facets of the filmmaking and entertainment industry, he said, “Artificial Intelligence will disrupt everyone’s lives like the Internet was very quickly applicable to us. The entertainment industry picks up tech at a very early stage. But at least in our lifetime, it is humans who will run the AI, and not AI that will run our world. You will start to see interactive cinema, and it will start to get personalised on devices through OTT. OTT is already changing the entertainment industry landscape.”

    Speaking on the upcoming elections in India, he observed “There was never a time when elections were different. You should choose a side you want to be on.”

    Speaking during a session titled ‘India on the World Stage: Rhythm Divine’, Ricky Kej, Music Composer and Environmentalist, 3 times Grammy Award Winner said,” When it comes to climate change, India is making significant strides. Concern in India on climate change is much larger than anywhere in the world. The Solar Alliance initiative taken by our government is path-breaking and PM Modi’s LiFE mission is a game changer. When I won a Grammy, I was invited by the Prime Minister’s Office for a five-minute meeting. PM Modi was fascinated by my passion for the environment and music and encouraged me to focus completely on creating environmental consciousness and social impact with my music. This was really the push I needed.”

    He added,” Today, the biggest threat humanity faces is climate change. Addressing environmental challenges is all about individual actions. We always talk about changing the world but we don’t want to change ourselves. The golden question is how we can take concrete actions within our times and what difference it can make. This is what I want to share through the emotional language of music.”

    Versatile actor and director Revathy shared her experience of acting and film-making in the session titled ‘Time Traveller- 40 Years on the Big Screen.’ She said,” I was introduced by Director Bharathiraja, who helped and taught me to listen to scripts, decide, and also learn to say no. It was a learning process, and I always had mentors like him. Mani Ratnam’s 1986 film Mouna Raagam is very close to my heart. Nobody wanted to do it. It was the first film in my career where the performance was very realistic. I’m very passionate about filmmaking. It took me 18 years to make my first film. I did not plan to become a director. It just happened.”

    Sharing her journey and experience of working with different languages, she added, “Tooth Pari, a Netflix series, challenged me as an actor. The story has changed, storytelling has changed, filmmaking, and aspects of filmmaking have changed. Society has transformed in many ways which has brought a change in the film industry. My father is a retired army officer. We moved to places from Mathura, Dehradun, Hyderabad, and Kashmir, all over India. You tend to adapt easily. I didn’t have an accent, and I was not really fluent in any language. It took me time to understand languages.”

    These multi-faceted sessions during the Summit celebrated India’s artistic and cinematic achievements, reminding of the incredible depth and diversity found within the country’s cultural landscape.

    The Southern Rising Summit was conceptualised and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India.  It aimed to celebrate the spirit and richness of southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit witnessed profound deliberations and sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.

  • “The Southern States Are Showing the Way”: Gurcharan Das

    “The Southern States Are Showing the Way”: Gurcharan Das

    Mumbai: “A lot of people, like me, are in the middle of the political spectrum; and I am a liberal”, said, noted public intellectual, author, and commentator, Gurcharan Das, sharing his thoughts on the Southern Rising Summit at ABP Network’s “The Southern Rising” Summit. “Being a liberal, you are on a lonely road, as there’s no one to vote for.”

    Speaking on the session, “In Search of Freedom: The Personal and Political,” Gurcharan Das elaborated upon the history of India in his lifetime. “The big change is that we were economically challenged for the first 40 years,” he remarked. “The nation was shackled for a period of 40 years, and as the world witnessed Japan’s rise, it was imperative that decisive action be taken at that time”

    On the education system, Das said, “Even today 80% of Indians do not have access to quality education. Only 20 percent of people have access to quality education. They can make a Silicon Valley city like Bengaluru and revolutionize the IT industry.”

    “Education is not about rote learning, it’s about questioning. My advice to youths will be to live and examine life,” the author said.

    When discussing the growth of southern states, he observed that “Tamil Nadu possesses a magic, with a well-established governance system. Its per capita income has witnessed a remarkable doubling. Overall, in terms of growth the southern states are showing the way.”

    Speaking about his memoir, Das, shared a message for the youth, “The good reason to write your memoir is to re-live your life. My mother taught me to make a living; my father taught me to make a life”

    ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit was conceptualised and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India.  It aims to celebrate the spirit and richness of southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit thus witnesses profound deliberations and sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.  

     

  • Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan addresses ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit

    Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan addresses ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit

    Mumbai: We as governors can’t sit within our four walls, we can’t just be a rubber stamp, said Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry at ABP Network’s “The Southern Rising” Summit.

    At the event, Tamilisai Soundarajan said, “As more talented and dynamic people have been appointed as governors, their function has changed. Can’t sit within four walls, can’t just be a rubber stamp.”

    She said it is worrisome that the schemes launched by governors who want to do good for the people are being “opposed for political reasons”.

    She added, “Politicians and state governments should not oppose governors for political purposes. The Governor is a bridge and a bridge not only to the central and state governments but also to the people.”

    Soundararajan’s primary goal from the outset has been to act as a catalyst in making resources accessible to the people, emphasizing a humanitarian approach over a political one. As a governor, she engaged with the public by organizing a ‘Mahila Darbar,’ demonstrating a strong connection to the people’s needs. She made it clear that her decisions are rooted in the best interests of the people, as she aims to serve them. She also introduced a redressal mechanism as a ‘sister of Puducherry,’ emphasizing the role of governors as public servants rather than provocateurs.

    Soundararajan praised Ayushman Bharat and reiterated her unwavering dedication to the welfare of the people, promising to act in their best interests. She also mentioned that – ‘’there should be a good relationship between the CM and Governor.’’

    The Southern Rising’ Summit was conceptualized and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. It aims to celebrate the spirit and richness of southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit thus witnesses profound deliberations and sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.

  • ABP Network brings in Ananta Natha Jha to lead Gen Z-focused vertical ‘UnCut’

    ABP Network brings in Ananta Natha Jha to lead Gen Z-focused vertical ‘UnCut’

    Mumbai: ABP Network is pleased to welcome Ananta Natha Jha as the associate vice-president of ABP Live. With a rich experience in handling digital content and an in-depth understanding of video and radio content, he will take charge as the editor of the UnCut team. Jha will lead a young team of journalists who put out digital content for Gen-Z and millennials.

    Jha has experience working at several reputable organisations in crucial roles. A well-recognised voice, he has donned various hats being a radio jockey, a news anchor, voiceover artist, producer, programming head, talk show host… the list goes on.

    He will play a key role in reshaping UnCut and rechanneling focus towards the younger generation with a focus on high-quality content.

  • ABP Network announces ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit

    ABP Network announces ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit

    Mumbai: ABP Network, the leading media and content creation powerhouse, is excited to unveil ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit, a prestigious event dedicated to celebrating the exceptional economic progress, cultural richness, and social harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. The summit is scheduled to take place on 12 October 2023, at The Taj Coromandel, Chennai.

    This extraordinary gathering unites five Southern states under a single banner, driven by a shared ambition: to spearhead India’s transformative journey. ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit shines a spotlight on the region’s unparalleled role in shaping today’s India and tomorrow’s global India.

    ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit will feature a day-long exploration of insightful discussions and distinguished speakers, including prominent figures such as:

    ●    Hon’ble Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry

    ●    Dr. P. Thiaga Rajan, Minister of Information Technology & Digital Services, Tamil Nadu

    ●    Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Govt of Tamil Nadu

    ●    Rana Daggubati, Actor

    ●    Kushboo Sundar, Actor, Producer, and Politician

    ●    Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Member of Legislative Council and Worker of BRS Party

    ●    K. Annamalai, State President of BJP Tamil Nadu

    ●    Prof. Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Former Governor of West Bengal and Author

    ●    Jothimani Sennimalai, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (Congress)

    ●    Ricky Kej, Music Composer and Environmentalist, 3X Grammy Award Winner

    ●    Revathy, Actor and Director

    ●    Gurcharan Das, Author & Commentator

    ●    Musicians Mahesh Raghvan and Nandini Shankar

    ●    Suhasini Maniratnam, Actor, Director, and Producer

    ●    John Brittas, Member of Parliament (CPIM)

    ●    M V Rajeev Gowda, Vice-Chairperson of State Institute for Transformation of Karnataka and Ex-Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha

    ●    Digital Content Creators Chaithania Prakash, Ardhra Sajan, and Deepika Venkatachalam amongst other luminaries.

    This convergence of sharp intellects, creative minds, and thought leaders promises a day filled with insight, ideas, and inspiration. ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit aims to foster a deep understanding of the remarkable achievements, cultural diversity, and social cohesion that characterize the southern states of India.

    It will provide a platform for meaningful conversations about challenges faced by southern India as well as potential solutions for sustainable development. In attendance will be an esteemed assembly, including government officials, renowned industry leaders, influential policymakers, thought leaders of distinction, and eminent personalities who have played pivotal roles in crafting the region’s remarkable growth journey.

    ABP Network is excited to host ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit as part of its commitment to promoting regional pride and fostering a sense of unity among Indians from all corners of the country. 

  • ABP Network strikes a chord with ‘Roots & Rhythms’ music for every generation!

    ABP Network strikes a chord with ‘Roots & Rhythms’ music for every generation!

    Mumbai:  ABP Network, a distinguished leader in the Indian media industry, is poised to transport music enthusiasts on an exquisite, soul-stirring journey through “Roots & Rhythms.” This grand musical concert is scheduled to take place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on 30 September 2023. The event will start at 6 PM and promises an unforgettable evening of diverse musical experiences.

    “Roots & Rhythms” is a glorious celebration of India’s rich musical heritage, thoughtfully curated to celebrate the ever-evolving soundscape of our nation. It embodies the very spirit of ‘New India,’ where music transcends boundaries, and artists craft their unique identities through a fusion of cultural experiences. This isn’t just a concert; it’s an exploration of the powerful stories that music can weave.

    The audience will have the chance to groove to the beats of some extraordinary artists as the musical extravaganza features the sensational Badshah. His unique style and chart-topping hits have injected a contemporary twist into Indian music. Joining him is Shilpa Rao, whose voice transcends genres, captivating the audience with her versatility, spanning from film music to classical and folk genres. The evening will also witness the enchanting performance of Papon, an artist deeply rooted in Indian culture. Papon has collaborated with musicians from around the world, all while preserving the essence of his heritage. Together, these musical maestros are set to create an unforgettable night that caters to every musical palate in the house.

    “Roots & Rhythms” is more than just a musical concert, it represents ABP Network’s commitment to bridging the gap between culture and the present generation. In a rapidly evolving world, this event serves as a platform where everyone, regardless of age or background, can come together. It’s a celebration of India’s rich musical heritage while embracing contemporary sounds. This grand musical concert is where the past and present harmoniously converge, creating memories that resonate with India’s passion for music.

    Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this mesmerising musical journey! Tickets for “Roots & Rhythms” are now available for purchase on BookMyShow 

  • ABP Majha unveils an exciting line-up as Bappa Majha returns

    ABP Majha unveils an exciting line-up as Bappa Majha returns

    Mumbai: ABP Majha, Maharashtra’s leading news channel, is happy to announce the return of its popular show Bappa Majha, with an exciting line-up of celebrations and unique programming. Scheduled to air from 19 September to 28 September, these programs promise to captivate viewers with an array of exclusive content.

    The campaign tagline this year for Bappa Majha is ‘Vase Characharat, Manamanat,’ underscoring the belief that god is omnipresent. A compelling short film, echoing the theme that Bappa pervades every element and resonating with the profound faith and devotion associated with Ganesh Chaturthi, has also been released.

    Bappa Majha has consistently been a viewer’s favourite for its immersive coverage of Ganesh Utsav celebrations. This year, the show aims to take its viewers on a magical journey through its programming which includes a diverse range of engaging and spiritually uplifting shows:

    •    Katha Ashtavinayakanchi: It will narrate a unique Ashtavinayak story every day from 19 September 19th to 27 September at 7:00 AM and 2:30 PM, in a concise 7-10 minute segment.
    •    Morning aarti live: Viewers will experience the LIVE aarti during the morning from the Siddhivinayak Temple from 19 September to 27 September at 7:30 AM for a devotional 10-minute session.
    •    Ganesh Pujan: On 19 September at 9:30 AM, ABP Majha will be airing a 30-minute show consisting of Ganesh Sthapana & Aarti from its office.
    •    Majha Bappa: Celebrities while visiting various pandals will share their memories around the festival. Viewers can catch these heart-warming moments from 19 September to 27 September at 4:30 PM in 7-10 minute segments.
    •    Ganapati Bulletin: This will offer latest updates on festival happenings across the state from 19 September to 27 September at 6:30 PM. The same will also be repeated next morning at 10:30 AM.
    •    Evening Aarti Live: Viewers can witness the LIVE Aarti from Pune’s Dadgusheth Temple from 19 September to 27 September at 7:30 PM for a serene 10-minute session.
    •    Majha Vighnaharta: ABP Majha will acknowledge and honour unsung organisations from Maharashtra who proved to be Vighnahartas in difficult times.
    •    Anant Chaturdashi Special Coverage: This programming will offer an entire day of coverage featuring the Visarjan proceedings in and around Maharashtra on 28 September, starting from 7:00 AM.

    Furthermore, in keeping with this year’s theme, ABP Majha is also initiating an engaging digital campaign, featuring a special Bappa Majha filter on Instagram and Facebook, aligning seamlessly with the event’s uplifting tagline. Someone may see Bappa in the green of the trees while for others he may be riding the waves of the sea. Audiences are enthusiastically encouraged to capture the essence of “Bappa” in various forms, with the finest photographs being showcased on ABP Majha’s vibrant social media platforms. A captivating promo also has been thoughtfully crafted to introduce and promote this unique filter.

    Bappa Majha is presented by sponsor partner Gowardhan Ghee, Vithoba Ayurvedic Dant Manjan and Nirma Shudh Salt. It is powered by Macho Hint, Dear Government Lottery, Finolex Pipes and Greenply. Cycle Agarbatti is the official partner while WHPJewellers.com is the jewellery partner. The supported-by partner is Kesh King and Rajarshi Shahu Bank. The digital partner is ABP Live.

    Stay tuned to ABP Majha for an immersive and memorable celebration of Ganeshotsav through Bappa Majha.

  • I.N.D.I.A’s journo boycott & what it means

    I.N.D.I.A’s journo boycott & what it means

    MUMBAI: The lines have been clearly drawn. I.N.D.I.A the ragtag coalition of various political parties has named and “shamed” journalists with whom its members will not have any tuck.

    Amongst them: Republic founder Arnab Goswami, Aaj Tak anchors Chitra Tripathi and Sudhir Choudhary, Network18’s Aman Chopra, Amish Devgan and Anand Narasimham, India Today’s  Gaurav Sawant and Shiv Aroor, Bharat Express’ Aditi Tyagi, Times Now’s Sushant Sinha and Navika Kumar, India TV’s Prachi Parashar, DD News’ Ashok Shrivastava, and Bharat24’s Rubika Liyaquat.

    I.N.D.I.A’s media coordination committee said that none of its members will go into their studios and get into conversation with any of the 14 who have been named in their advisory. The reasoning: they are anti opposition and pro – the ruling party at the Centre.

    Media observers are questioning I.N.D.I.A’s decision. While it is true that signals are being sent out to these media houses as well as to the coalition’s fans that there is a schism in the news media itself and they are open to take journos on, will I.N.D.I.A’s members be deprived of sharing their opinions to a large section of voter-viewers these channels and anchors command. Will that work against the coalition and in favour of the BJP?

    The I.N.D.I.A boycott is also a warning to the news channel’s promoters that they would be deprived of important government spending on ads should any members of the group get elected in the centre or at the state levels. And that will definitely hurt as government spending contributes substantially to many news channel’s health.

    The boycott list also has a few surprises: no anchor from the TV9 network has been named in it. The latter network has often been accused of toeing the BJP line by some segments. So either the accusations have been way off the mark or the TV9’s heft has grown so much that I.N.D.I.A does not want to mess with it. The ABP network too has been spared by the coalition. One has often heard its CEO moan and groan how it has been targeted and deprived of public sector and government spending because it takes a balanced view in its reportage.  However, the group’s alleged proximity to the Congress top brass has often been gossiped about. Then surprisingly journalists of the Subhash Chandra helmed Zee News have been spared by the coalition.

    Are the exemptions and errors is what some media specialists are asking?

    Media observers are also raising their eyebrows on how long can I.N.D.I.A continue with its journalist hate and boycott  list? And whether this step will force the named journos to become more balanced in their news and views. Or at least appear to be non-partisan. Most are sniggering that I.N.D.I.A’s hardline stance is misguided and directed and will not make a difference to the anchors. They state that by trying to “muzzle” the media, they are doing exactly what the current dispensation would like them to do.

    Of course, they and the trolls will continue to make merry on social media. As will the social media bots from the coalition opposition grouping, from the BJP social media punters and from the journos’ supporters running into millions.

    Clearly, while the I.N.D.I.A boycott may end up being short lived for all purposes, it seems to have left an impact in the world of media.

    Is this boycott a right/ethical thing to do? Share your views on our social media.