ITV

Tag: Amit Shah

  • Narendra Modi’s tweets made available on SMS

    Narendra Modi’s tweets made available on SMS

    NEW DELHI: With increasing emphasis on social media by the present government, citizens who do not have access to internet will be able to receive the tweets sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from time to time on issues of national importance.

     

    People who want to know Modi’s views on various events can now receive his tweets through SMS on their mobile phones.

     

    A person wanting to receive the tweets will merely have to give a missed call to (011) 30063006 and the caller will start receiving these tweets.

     

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has written a letter to all state and district units of the party to popularize this concept.

     

    For those using the internet, the Prime Minister can also receive mails from people on either pmindia.nic.in or mygov.in.

     

    Currently, Amitabh Bachchan is one of the few whose tweets are being sent by SMS to selected mobile users.

  • State election results: A busy day for news channels

    State election results: A busy day for news channels

    MUMBAI: The year 2014 saw not only the 16th Lok Sabha election, but a number of states undergoing assembly elections as well.

     

    As the year ends, two states – Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand – casted their votes and elected their new governments. The result day i.e. 23 December, was a day of excitement for news channels as most of them started early with predictions. As the day progressed, the counting results were displayed on the screens as media stalwarts analysed the results.

     

    The numbers clearly showed the mark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had left on these states as the BJP won a number of seats. In Jharkhand, the party has won with almost majority while in J&K, it is the second largest party after PDP. However, the “breaking news” was J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah losing from both Beerwah and Sonawar assembly constituency seats.

     

    The news channels focused on the next step of the political parties especially in J&K as there was no clear winner. The channels got a panel discussing the same as well as senior editors within the channel analysed the winners, the overall results as well as what discussions are going on behind the closed doors of parties on their next move.

     

    The analysis continued till late afternoon; with a little break as BJP’s Amit Shah held a press conference to talk about the party’s performance in the two states. “2014 is the year of BJP,” is what the right-hand man of Modi had to say.

     

    Throughout the day, the channels also gathered as well as took people’s reaction through their digital platforms. Hashtags like #Dec23WithArnab, #NDTVResults were created and promoted on channels as they geared for the big debates to be held at primetime.

  • “Mr Modi, when are you giving me the big interview you promised?”: Rajdeep Sardesai

    “Mr Modi, when are you giving me the big interview you promised?”: Rajdeep Sardesai

    He is one of Indian television’s most recognisable face as a news presenter and now the author of the best seller ‘2014: The Election That Changed India’. Rajdeep Sardesai may have quit Network18 as IBN18 editor in chief and later on joining the India Today Group as consulting editor, but the man with over 26 years of experience in the field continues to be recognised for his work.

     

    Sardesai was honoured with the Asian TV Award on 11 December for ‘The Best News Presenter’ for his coverage on the counting day of the general elections.

     

     The award is a special one for him as he becomes the first Indian to receive the recognition. On the occasion, in a quick chat with Indiantelevision.com’s Herman Gomes, Sardesai speaks about the recognition and upcoming plans for the New Year.

     

    Your feelings on receiving the award? Do you see Indian journalism receiving its due credit?

    When I was with NDTV, The Big Fight had won the Asian TV Award, three times in a row. At CNN-IBN, India at 9 and our election coverage had won awards for the best news coverage and best current affairs, but to win an individual award as the ‘Best News Presenter’ feels special. Being nominated with icons from CNN, Discovery, Nat Geo and CNBC, along with Chinese and Korean TV, makes it special. I feel honoured to be honoured as the only Indian.

     

    Are awards and recognition important for journalism?

    Being the first Indian to receive an award like this, feels nice, but only for a moment. Journalism is not about winning awards but about work or the interview you do.  Elections after all is a team game. The award is also for all those who worked with me as a team at my old organisation, CNN IBN.

     

    Any celebrations planned?

    I am going to have a quiet dinner when my son returns from his hostel. I am planning to take him out for dinner next weekend.  I owe a lot to the family.

     

    How well is your book ‘2014:The Election That Changed India’ been performing on the shelves?

    The book as of last week was placed at number two in the non-fiction category, behind Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography: ‘Playing It My way’.  It has been on the best seller list for six weeks. I am told that in one month it has sold more than any other nonfiction political book of 2014. I am taking the book across the country for various promotions and lit fests.  On the weekends I promote the book while on weekdays I am caught up anchoring my show. It’s a packed week!

     

    Are politicians affected by the revelations in the book?

    Interestingly I find the Congress politicians having more problems with the book than BJP. The BJP politicians had feared the book, but Congress seems to be unhappy now.

     

    How has the state of journalism changed over the last one year?

    One of the continuing fears I have is the tendency to sensationalise. That continues to remain a trend and has not stopped. This is what I call window journalism, where you have eight people in a window, talking at each other rather than talking to each other.

    But at the same time there is some good work being done. But the sad part is it does not get the due recognition, because some of the less important work dominates the more worthy work.

     

    We are destroying our credibility in the long run.

     

    How do you view the growth for online journalism?

    My belief is that digital is going to see a big revolution in the next few years. It will not happen overnight but will take two to three years.

     

    Are there chances of you joining back CNN-IBN?

    There are no such plans. 2014 has been a roller coaster year for me. Our election coverage is being recognised at the Asian level. The book was a high point while my departure from CNN IBN was an unfortunate one. 

     

    It has been six months since the new government came to power. Do you think Aache Din Aa Gaye?

    Ache Sitare Aa Gaye, ache din we don’t know. Maybe next year. It’s too early to judge.

     

    One question you would want to ask the Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

    Mr Modi, when are you giving me the big interview you promised?

     

    How do you see the year ahead for the Indian media and how are you planning to welcome the New Year?

    I view the year 2015 as the year of introspection for the media including myself. 2014 has been a year of excitement. I am welcoming 2015 by going to Goa and resting by the beach.

     

    For this year do you want to be known as Rajdeep Sardesai: the journalist or the author?

    I want to be known as a journalist who has written a bestselling book!

  • Aaj Tak brings back ‘Agenda Aaj Tak: The Biggest Platform’ of the Hindi heartland

    Aaj Tak brings back ‘Agenda Aaj Tak: The Biggest Platform’ of the Hindi heartland

    MUMBAI: The ‘Hindi Jagat Ka Maha Manch’ is getting bigger every year, as Aaj Tak the Nation’s News Leader presents the 3rd Edition of the award winning annual event ‘Agenda Aaj Tak – Kitna Badal Gaya Hindustan’, with a theme that is reflective of the changing times in the National landscape. The 2 day conclave scheduled for the 12th and 13th of December is expected to raise the benchmarks of a News event, as the most powerful voices will debate on issues dominating the Indian mindspace.

     With an impressive line-up of the most distinguished stalwarts coming together, the two day conclave will prove to be defining in more ways than one.

    The greatest minds and leaders across various fields will set the mood for the sessions. The Game Changer and modern day Chanakya – Amit Shah, The Master strategist – Arun Jaitley and The defence minister – Manohar Parikkar, The railway minister – Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, these most powerful personalities from the new political order will share their vision and plan. The Kingmakers of coalition politics Sharad Yadav and Laloo Prasad Yadav are expected to bring fireworks in the session ‘Modi Ke Khilaf Morchabandi’. While the living legend of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan will pay tribute to his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

    ‘Dilli Ke Dil Main Kya Hai’ will be debated in the race to the Delhi Elections by Arvind Kejriwal, Former CM – Delhi, Satish Upadhyay, President – Delhi BJP and Arvinder Singh Lovely, DPCC Chief.

     Sports, music and entertainment too are part of the agenda, with the superstars of cricket, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir debating on the chances of Team India to lift the World Cup again. Musicians Sukhwinder Singh, Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani will add some melody to sessions by reflecting on the rapidly changing music industry and more.

     The Singham of bollywood, Ajay Devgn will bring in his share of action by sharing his views and experience while the young brigade led by the most promising young diva Shraddha Kappoor, dashing star  Arjun Kapoor and the Dabangg girl Sonakshi Sinha will talk about the young spirit and on being role models for the youth.

    The first time MPs, Manoj Tiwari – BJP, Babul Supriyo – BJP and Chirag Paswan – LJP will talk about the responsibilities on their new role.

    Chief Ministers – Devendra Fadnavis, CM – Maharashtra, Harish Rawat, CM – Uttarakhand and Manohar Lal Khattar, CM – Haryana will lay emphasis on the importance of Centre – State relationship in the session aptly titled – Tera Mera Saath Rahe.

     Religious and Spiritual Leaders – Asaduddin Owaisi, President  AIMIM, Swami Ramdev, Yoga Guru and Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati, Hindu Spiritual Leader will share their opinions on the lines of religion and spirituality.

     Through the two days well know comedian Raju Srivastav will be sprinkling humour in between the sessions to balance the heated debates with some laughter

     Agenda Aaj Tak is the flagship Hindi News event from the TV Today Network Ltd that has seen the most illustrious and eminent personalities coming together under one roof. The success of the first two editions has clearly established, Agenda Aaj Tak as the definitive News Event in the National Language. The event in its 3rd year will focus on the changing Nation, right from politics, social issues, industry initiatives, culture and more, thus setting the stage for the most crucial national decisions.

     

  • A blockbuster evening marks 21 years of ‘Aap Ki Adalat’

    A blockbuster evening marks 21 years of ‘Aap Ki Adalat’

    MUMBAI: India’s longest running television show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ saw a gathering of icons including those from politics, sports, business and spirituality who came together to celebrate the 21 years of the show, with Rajat Sharma.

     

    The attendee list sported names like President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Narendra Modi, Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Smriti Irani, Venkaiah Naidu, Suresh Prabhu, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Prakash Javadekar, Ram Vilas Paswan, Dharmendra Pradhan, Rajyavardhan Rathore and Najma Heptullah. BJP president Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and former LS Speaker P A Sangma also attended the event. Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Vasundhara Raje Scindia, and Harish Rawat were also present.

     

    The three Khans of Bollywood, Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, along with others like Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Hema Malini, Anupam Kher, Sonakshi Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha, Rani Mukerji and cricketer Gautam Gambhir also attended the celebration.

     

    PM Narendra Modi talking on what makes Aap Ki Adalat so distinct and unfading observed, “In the 21 years of this show, nobody has been forced to reply, Rajat knows the art of extracting a reply through his sweet questioning. Another big quality of Rajat is that he uses his tongue sparingly in his show, but he uses his heart to the fullest. A clever mind works behind this.”

     

    Anil Ambani, Gautam Adani, Hari Bharatia and Raj Kumar Dhoot were among the business tycoons who were present at the occasion. Other personalities who attended included noted Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, Himesh Reshmiyya, Udit Narayan, Anu Malik, advertising guru and lyricist Prasoon Joshi, Rakhi Sawant, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Daler Mehdi, Sakshi Maharaj, Yogi Adityanath, Raju Srivastav, Shashi Sinha, and social activist Kiran Bedi.

     

    Senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath, Sachin Pilot, Janardan Dwivedi, Salman Khurshid, Jagdish Tytler, Vijay Bahuguna, Rita Bahuguna, Renuka Chaudhary, Sushil Shinde, R K Dhawan, Dr. Karan Singh, JDU chief Sharad Yadav, RLD chief Ajit Singh, Amar Singh and Jaya Bachchan were also present at the event.

     

    India TV chairman and editor in chief Rajat Sharma commented, “I am short of words to express how overwhelmed and humbled I feel right now. Over the last two decades I was simply focusing on doing my job right, I never expected the amount of affection and respect showered upon me by all including country’s topmost icons.”

     

    “I am more than grateful to all and mostly to my viewers who have backed me all through as their advocate while I tried to amplify their voice with who mattered,” he added.

     

    Speaking on the success of the mega event, India TV MD and CEO Ritu Dhawan observed, “When we first thought of marking the occasion, we always knew that this is going to be an industry benchmark, however I have no doubt now that our expectations have been hugely exceeded. This has been a truly superlative success & people will remember this for a very long time.”

     

    Star Plus has also decided to be part of the celebrations. The event will be simulcast on both the channels – India TV and Star Plus on 7 December at 10 pm. Cineyug, a premier event management companies managed the show that was hosted by singer Sonu Nigam.