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Tag: Independence day

  • Industry leaders’ thoughts on Independence Day

    Independence. We in India have had it for so many years that the India that is emerging does not know what it is like to not be free. For millions, the struggle to get freedom from the British, Portuguese and sundry other rulers are just chapters in their history books. But occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day remind us that we were once subservient and that we overcame bondage and won our freedom.

    15 August is the 67th year of our independence. For sure, the Indian flag will be hoisted in neighbourhoods all over India. Smaller flags will be mounted on cars, cycles and bikes. And even smaller ones pinned on our shirt pockets. Patriotic songs will be played out on radio and on TV.

    And hopefully for a day we will forget all our complaints against rising prices, economic upheaval, a political and administrative class that is showing little backbone for fair governance and well-being of its citizenry, corruption and the lack of respect that many in India have for women. Hopefully, we will remember the price that was paid for the valuable freedom that we enjoy today. And feel proud to be Indian. We, at indiantelevision.com surely are and even proudly carry it in our name.

    Indiantelevision.com‘s young team of journalists spoke to senior professionals from the advertising, broadcasting, cable TV and marketing sectors to get a fix on their feelings on India‘s 67th Independence Day. And also to gather from them on what their favourite patriotic song or movie is. Read on to feel patriotic:

    O&M India executive chairman & NCD Piyush Pandey

    I am very proud to be an Indian. I think India is a very significant country with many diverse cultures and we have come a long way. In the future, I wish the country to be in a much better shape than what it is currently.

    Mile Sur Mera Tumhara is my favourite patriotic song and truly depicts the light of Indian culture and unity amongst Indians.

    NDTV executive vice chairperson Narayan Rao

    I feel good that we live in an independent country but it shouldn‘t be taken for granted.

    I‘d like broadcasting to be world class and for journalism to have high standards, credibility and ethics.
    My favourite song is Saare Jahan Se Achchha.
    Publicis director, CCO south Asia Bobby Pawar

    Yes I am proud and happy as well that I am living in an independent country as an independent man.

    I really don‘t have any ideas about where the industry is headed. If I did know, then I probably would make millions on it. However, I am very optimistic about the growth in the industry.

    My favourite movie is my friend‘s Prasoon Joshi‘s film Rang De Basanti and the title song from the same movie is my favourite song.

    Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, sr VP & GM, head of revenue, pan-regional ad sales & south asia, Rahul Johri

    I am proud of being an Indian and happy about it. I think in the coming years the broadcasting industry will evolve as the market evolves. I see many more options on offer for viewers and I see the broadcasting industry only growing further.

    My favourite patriotic song is the video Ye Mera India by Saleem and Suleiman which is on Animal Planet.

    Zee, chief content and creative officer Bharat Kumar Ranga

    I renamed myself from Mukesh to Bharat, when I was in the fourth standard. I fell in love with Manoj Kumar‘s character as Bharat inUpkaar. So when I was filling my form for fifth standard, I renamed myself as Bharat. This is how deeply I feel about India. Though firangi competition is welcome, but in India only Indians will rule. I am among those, who believes in the country.

    It is in India, that media enjoys the stature of being the fourth pillar. It started with print and went on to books and films. There was a certain independence given to broadcasters, but that was not utilised to the maximum. Though India has done well in a lot of sectors, but growth in media has not been great. We need to break away from daily and weekly competitions to unleash the power of media.

    My favourite patriotic song is Mere Desh Ki Dharti from the movie Upkaar, I still get all charged up hearing the song. Purab and Paschim was one movie which aptly brought out the power of India, and that is my favourite patriotic movie.
    Draftfcb+Ulka advertising ED & CEO Ambi M G Parameswaran

    I am proud to be an Indian. And I value my freedom. 
    As a nation, the change I would like to see is that the slowdown, which we are witnessing, goes away. I know it will be another 12-18 months before that happens, but then we will see double digit growth after that. The GDP growth needs to regain momentum, business confidence need to rise, rural development really needs to happen, and food prices need to come down.

    My favourite patriotic movie is the Tamil film Kappalottiya Thamizhan.
    Star Den Media Services, CEO Gurjeev Singh Kapoor

    We feel proud to be independent and we celebrated Independence Day at our workplace too on 14 August. Everyone was wearing small paper flags across their hearts proudly. We decked up the office with balloons and placed a small flag on every workstation.

    In broadcasting, freedom of expression is critical and this has rarely happened in the past, but it is witnessing a change. Things have gone through a revolutionary change and kudos to the industry for bringing in this welcome change.

    I love patriotic movies, but Saat Hindustani (1969) andShaheed (1965) figure among my favourites.

    Zee News CEO Alok Agrawal

    I feel good as an Indian. We are living in a democratic country. There are lots of things we need to do to improve. We all have some amount of influence that we can use.

    We are launching an entire new initiative Bharat Bhagyavita. Our responsibility as media is to inform and empower people with knowledge and make them aware of their rights and encourage them to do something about what‘s going on.

    Nothing comes to mind. I don‘t go by defining a favourite. Any patriotic song is fine. I like almost all songs.

    Media Consultant, Sanjeev Hiremath

    For me patriotism is a feeling and cannot be defined in a song, though I really love the Hollywood movie ‘Independence Day‘.

    In the 67th year of Independence, the biggest achievement for India is that it is no longer considered as a developing nation. A lot of Indian companies are now investing in overseas business. Our GDP is robust and we are above world average. I am proud to be an Indian and the reason is its diverse culture. My only concern is that though individually we are progressing, the country collectively isn‘t. Even today 70 per cent of the population lives on 1.50 dollars a day. It makes me sad. The political scenario needs to improve.

    What is good about the cable and satellite industry is that we are not 10 years behind when we compare ourselves to other countries. We have been making gradual progress and now with DAS, in the next two years we will be up close with the world cable and satellite industry.

    Playtime Creations TV producer Hemal Thakakar

    As an Indian we feel proud that we had so many great men and women who gave their lives for freedom we enjoy today. Somewhere I think we have failed them and have misused freedom which they got for us. I hope, pray and wish we correct that.

    For broadcasters, future is shining. Digitisation is beginning of new horizon as our country gets hungry for more entertainment and infotainment. New avenues are discovered and looking at the Indian diaspora and the fact that we are a young nation, the broadcast industry is going to get a major boost.

    My favourite song is the title track from the film Swades and Kandho Se Milte Hain Kandhe.
  • Celebrate I-Day with special programs on TV

    Celebrate I-Day with special programs on TV

    MUMBAI: Flip through a newspaper or television channels, the flavours and colours of the Independence Day are present everywhere. And to celebrate and cash-in on the occasion, the channels across genres are going all out to surpass each other with special programs.

     

    The general entrainment channels which are scrapping amongst themselves for eyeballs have redone their programming line to accomodate these speical shwos. . Star India is spearheading an initiative-Saath Hain Hum Uttarakhand — to muster mass support and gather funds for the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand through a live seven-hour fund-raiser.

     

    The fund raiser that’ll be broadcast on key channels of the Star India network including flagship Star Plus, Life OK, Star Pravah, Star Utsav and Channel V from 12 noon will see participation and performances from Hindi film industry’s stars and television’s most celebrated actors. The network promises it to be the biggest Independence Day spectacle in India.

     

    To counter it, Zee has a special slot from 2.30pm to 5.30pm wherein it will show the best performances from the already aired Qubool Hai Eid Mubarak special episode and Gold awards 2013. Whereas Sony will be betting on films like Ek Tha Tiger and Aashiqui 2 that will be aired at 9.30 and 12.30 pm and 6.30pm respectively. Colors on the occasion will telecast Policegiri twice in the day.

     

    Movie channels, both Hindi and English, will be showing patriotic films (old or new) as well as films which focus on ‘Indianness’.

     

    As for the other genres especially the music channels, nobody wants to miss out on the opportunity as well. Music channels will pay tribute with not only patriotic songs but also through unique programs. For instance, Vh1 has Indian Musical Compass which brings together artists who are divided by states but united by music. The episode which is 12-hour (8am to 8pm) long will feature artists across India representing various regions – Pentagram, Indus Creed, Alobo Naga and the Band, Soulmate, Euphoria, Ska Vengers, A R Rahman, Thermal and a Quarter, Brodha V, Bickram Gosh, Cassini’s Division and many more.

     

    The oldest music channel – MTV – has announced its new take on freedom through Maa Kasam Hindustan with MTV ACT. The initiative will urge the youth to stop being a fence sitter; but to take a stand and take action against issues that concern them. Leading the campaign are actors John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri who along with MTV VJs will take an oath to bring about a change.

     

    The channels from the 9X network too will play blockbuster tunes, a special youthful video titled Azadi Ka Tashan and has also created a whistling version of Hum Hindustani, one of the most popular patriotic songs from Bollywood. This unique project will be aired on 9XM all through the Independence week.

     

    This Independence Day the channels have created a bouquet of colourful programmes to bring out the flavour of India to entertain viewers. So stay tuned!

  • AIR, DD to beam President’s address and PM flag hoisting on 15 August

    AIR, DD to beam President’s address and PM flag hoisting on 15 August

    NEW DELHI: All India Radio and Doordarshan will beam the message of President Pranab Mukherjee to the nation on the eve of Independence Day on 14 August.

     

    The flag hoisting ceremony and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s message to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort will also be beamed live on 15 August.

     

    While the President’s address will be from 7:00 pm on 14 August in English followed by a Hindi translation, the Independence Day programme will commence from 06:25 am.

     

    AIR will broadcast both the events on all its medium wave channels including the Indraprastha channel and Vividh Bharati, and also on the two FM channels, FM Gold and FM Rainbow, apart from all regional kendras.

     

    The regional channels will broadcast translations in regional language of the President’s broadcast. Doordarshan will telecast the events on DD National, DD News, DD Bharati, and DD Sports.

     

    Both AIR and DD will also beam a round-up of the events all over the country later in the evening on 15 August.

  • The Splendour of Rashtrapati Bhavan revealed on Discovery Channel

    The Splendour of Rashtrapati Bhavan revealed on Discovery Channel

    NEW DELHI: Coinciding with India’s 67th Independence Day celebration on 15 August, Discovery Channel is telecasting a series with an exclusive journey inside the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    Having its premiere at 9 pm on 15 August, Revealed: Rashtrapati Bhavan captures the story of Rashtrapati Bhavan from its conception to its completion and the changes undergone as the home of the respective Indian Presidents. Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is amongst the largest presidential estates of the world, was the heart of the British plan for a new imperial capital.

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific senior vice president and general manager – South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Channel is privileged to present the breathtaking splendour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan – the office and residence of the President of the largest democracy in the world. On the occasion of this Independence Day, we are delighted to take viewers inside the corridors of the presidential palace rarely seen on the Indian television.”

    Especially produced for Discovery Channel by AIM Television, Revealed: Rashtrapati Bhavan charts the history of this building on two parallels. One story follows the shift of the capital and the efforts of Edwin Landseer Lutyens as the architect of this house while the other takes viewers through the sprawling palace and its magnificent rooms. Every element in the Rashtrapati Bhavan has evolved over the past eight decades where the building has witnessed the transition from an imperial occupation to being the home of the head of the largest democracy in the world.

    The palatial residence is an extended expression of architect Edward Lutyen’s passion and finesse. From the most spectacular room in the palace, Ashoka Hall, to the Dwarka Suite now used for serving the state guests – this exclusive insight into the President’s house answers a spectrum of questions on what lies behind the high gates. The programme also brings to light the design of the residence, the creative culinary quotient as well as the history and intense security.

  • TN Film Producers’ Council restricts big budget film releases on 5 festive occasions

    TN Film Producers’ Council restricts big budget film releases on 5 festive occasions

    MUMBAI: The Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) has announced that big films should only be released on five festive occasions beginning from Pongal this year. This is to ensure that small film producers find screens to release their films,


    The permitted dates of release for such films include Pongal, Tamil New Year, May Day, Independence Day and Deepavali.


    According to the Council, almost 100 films are produced every year out of which only eight per cent are big budget movies that are easily financed, distributed and exhibited. The remaining 92 per cent are low budget films who struggle to find a theatre for release.


    Elaborating on the subject, producers’ council president SA Chandrasekaran said that the rule had been introduced so that small films, 300 of which are yet to find theatres for release, could survive the stiff competition of big budget films. A big film could be distributed and released easily, he added.


    It may be recalled that the previous office-bearers of the producers Council had, in October 2009, announced a similar regulation for release of big films but made little success in enforcing it.


    The TFPC decision will come into force from 1 February.

  • News channels unveil special programming for Independence Day

    News channels unveil special programming for Independence Day

    MUMBAI: On the occassion of the 62nd Independence Day, news channels have planned to give its viewers a patriotic treat.

    NDTV Network has lined up a series of “thought-provoking shows” for its viewers.

    NDTV 24X7, the English news channel from the network, will air The Legends at 5:30 pm to pay tribute to the classical musicians. At 8 pm, the channel will have The Big Fight that will showcase a debate on the Indo-Pak Relationship: 62 years after. The show, hosted by Vikram Chandra from India and Munizae Jahangir from Karachi, will have a panel comprising representatives from major political parties and audiences from both the countries. At 10.30 pm, it will air Jai Jawaan with Abhishek Bachchan in his journey to Kargil.

    Hindi news channel, NDTV India, will air a documentary, Kargil Ki Kahani, Air Force Ki Zubani, at 1.30 pm. The documentary features the Indian Air Force and its role in Kargil, 10 years ago. The special highlights the tale of lone survivors and families of Air Force martyrs, from Sirsawa, Bhatinda and Gwalior. The channel will air Jai Jawaan at 9.30 pm and Azaadi Ki Udaan at 11.30 pm.

    IBN18 channels – CNN IBN and IBN7 too have lined up specials for I-Day. The network is launching its bi-annual nationwide poll, State of the Nation, which returns in its eighth edition.

    IBN7’s show line-up also includes Vande Mataram, Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Humara, Independence Musical and India Rocks.

    The channel will air the findings of the poll (State of Nation) with the one-hour debate at 8 pm. Vande Mataram will trace the journey of national anthem since the pre-independence era till now. The show will be aired at 9 am and 5:30 pm.

    Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Humara, at 10:30 am, 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm will feature sports history to witness events that have held the nation’s attention. The show recounts the greatest sports victories we have achieved in the field of cricket, hockey, tennis, boxing, shooting and in other sports.

    Independence Day Musical will be a musical tribute by child artists from popular television shows.

    India Rocks, at 12 noon, is an emotional and musical tribute to India, aired every Independence Day & Republic Day. This season, the show will feature poems and songs sent by children about one thing they would like to change about India or anything in their life.

    IBN7 managing editor Ashutosh said, “This Independence Day, we would like to commemorate the sacrifice of our martyrs along with our present day victories which have made India shine. Therefore, we have planned our shows with a right mix of patriotism and entertainment and we are confident that viewers will appreciate the programming, making this Independence Day a memorable one.”

    The other programmes on CNN IBN include India Rocks- Children of Change, Rewind to 47, Secret Kitchen Flavours of 47, The 1947 Quiz and a special episode on The Citizen Journalist Show.

    At 12 noon, the channel will air Rewind to 47, a show on people who were around in 1947. The show will have celebrities like Dev Anand, Zohra Segal, Alyque Padamsee, Ruskin Bond, Soli Sorabjee, Milkha Singh, Narendar Singh Sarila (ADC to Lord Mountbatten), the former King of Travancore and Saraswati Rajamani (oldest surviving female soldier in Netaji’s Indian National Army).

    Said CNN IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai, “Our programming on the Independence Day is especially designed for viewers which will present news and views with a touch of entertainment. We are certain that our viewers will find the special shows refreshing, thinking and forward looking.”

    Times Now, too has a slew of special programming lined up. This includes Midnight’s Children, Total Recall-India @ 62, The Foodie at National Defence Academy Pune, Heroes of Freedom and Frankly Speaking.

    Not lagging behind, NewsX also has planned special programmes that will reflect on the last 62 years of independence. These include two primetime shows- Midnight Nations and Freedom Actually. Midnight Nations on 14 August at 9 pm brings together experts and personalities from India and Pakistan to discuss the co-existence of the two nations since their independence. The studio-based panel discussion will have experts such as Vikram Sood (Ex Raw), G Parthasarthy, Saeed Naqvi, (Rt) Gen Shankar Roy Choudhury from India and Jugnu Moshim (senior journalist), (Rt) Gen Talat Masood, Hamir Mir (senior journalist) and filmmaker Seema Bawvra from Pakistan.

    Freedom Actually on 15 August at 9 pm will bring together guests like Salman Khurshid, Aijaz Ilmi and Vir Sanghvi to discuss the true sense of freedom. The channel will also host a series of capsules in three different segments- Historic Milestones, Freedom and on Celebrity Bites.

  • CNN-IBN’s Independence Day programming deliver top ratings

    CNN-IBN’s Independence Day programming deliver top ratings

    New Delhi August 29, 2006: Leader in the English news genre, CNN-IBN has once again delivered in terms of eyeballs on this Independence Day. CNN-IBN was the nation’s choice and the most watched news channel on Independence Day.

    CNN-IBN made the Independence Day television viewing really exciting with a plethora of programmes ranging from entertainment to music to history. The engaging slew of programmes on the channel has cut across all TGs, posting good ratings for the channel. As per the latest TAM report CNN-IBN secured a channel share of 0.33 (TG 25+AB All India) on August 15, taking a lead ahead of its competitors, across India.

    ‘Sachin–King is back’ on CNN-IBN was the top most programme in the English News genre on Indian Television on August 15 (0.08 TVR, TG: 25+ AB CS, 6 Metros). The I-Day special series ‘State of the Nation’, an all India opinion survey too achieved good ratings (0.07 TVR, TG: 25+ AB CS, 6 Metros) on that day. As part of the Independence Day programming line up, CNN-IBN aired an all India, live Smart Kid I- Day Quiz for the first time ever on a news channel, which certainly had the viewers glued on to their television sets. CNN-IBN also aired interesting shows like August Country (Revisit History), India Rocks (Musical), Shah Rukh Khan Unplugged (Celebrity chat).

    Day part Channel Channel share
    0700 – 2400
         		 CNN-IBN 0.33
    NDTV 24×7 0.31
    Headlines Today 0.1
    Times Now 0.11

     

    Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-In-Chief, CNN-IBN & IBN 7 said, “Through our programming on the 59th year of Independence, CNN-IBN wanted to heighten the spirit of patriotism. We are delighted that the viewers have appreciated the shows and we have been successful in truly making Independence Day a memorable one. The results are a reaffirmation that we have provided the viewers with programming that is both entertaining and captivating”

     

    Dilip Venkatraman, Director Marketing, CNN-IBN & IBN 7, “The high ratings that CNN-IBN have delivered for the compelling Independence Day programming line up demonstrates the success of our programming and the constant loyalty that the viewers are developing for the channel. Our programming strategies reflect the changing viewing needs of the consumer and we are pleased that our strategic approach to programming has once again paid rich dividends, and we are confident that we will maintain this momentum over the years to continuously engage our Indian viewers.”

    About CNN-IBN

     

    TV18 and Time Warner have joined hands to bring CNN-IBN, India’s first and very own world-class English news channel, headed by one of the most credible faces of news journalism, Rajdeep Sardesai. CNN-IBN brings news as well as feature programs. With editorial and network resources across every nook and corner of India and the globe, CNN-IBN is committed to bring to the discerning Indian viewer only the best of television journalism.

    For further information please contact:
    Parul Bhasin/ Namrata Bhalla PR Pundit, New Delhi
    Tel: 2656 0415, 2651 3075, 93502 65351

  • CNN-IBN and Channel 7 line up special shows for Independence day

    CNN-IBN and Channel 7 line up special shows for Independence day

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN and Channel 7 has lined-up a special package to celebrate Independence Day with slew of programmes. The package includes shows In August Country, State of the Nation, India Rocks, Shahrukh Unplugged, August Kranti and Sorry Sir.

    Starting 14 August, CNN-IBN will showcase a half hour special In August Country at 8:30 pm and the same will air on 15 August. The viewers can also participate in an interactive quiz based on every story aired during In August Country.

    Channel 7 will feature August Kranti at 7:30 pm on 15 August, where the channels will revisit historic places like Chori Chora, Jalianwala Bagh, Dandi and many more where the Indian freedom struggle reached great heights and won the battle for independence.

    State of the Nation is another independence week special on the anvil, which will track the state of the nation, based on an exhaustive pan India poll conducted by CSDS, spanning across 20 states with over 24,000 touch points, according to an official release. The opinion will be presented in a four episode special India’s Best CM, Dietary Habits, Terrorism in India and Youth of the city from 12 to 15 August at 9:30 pm, 10:00 pm, 10:00 pm and 9:30 pm respectively on CNN-IBN.

    The two channel brings forth a musical special India Rocks, which present Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Rahul Sharma, Shabana Azmi, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shubha Mudgal, Salman Ahmad (Pakistani singer), Raghav Sachar, Mohit Chauhan and many more on 15 August at 1:30 pm on CNN-IBN and at 9:30 pm on Channel7. This show will also feature a song by a terminally ill child with “make a wish” composed and sung by Zubeen Garg.

    CNN-IBN will feature a live-on-air Independence day kids quiz on 15 August. This inter-school zonal (north, south, east and east) live quiz contest will hunt the best ‘kid quiz brain’ in the country. Anchored by Vidhya Shankar Aiyar, the morning segments will air the elimination rounds and the finals will be aired at 1:00 pm.

    The channel will also air Shahrukh Unplugged where Rajeev Masand catches up with the star to understand what ‘Independence’ means to him on the day at 2:30 pm.

    Sorry Sir on Channel 7 will be a satire on hamare neta, by the best poets and performers like Sagar Khayyami Adil Lucknowi, Popular Meeruthi, Rahat Indori, Jemini Haryanwi on 12 August at 9:30 pm and also Apne Apne Laloo, which is a mimicry show put up by the Great Indian Laughter Champions on the railway minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, which will air in short capsules throughout the Independence Day.

    Highlighting the special line-up on I-Day, CNN-IBN and Channel7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai says, ” CNN-IBN is all set to give the discerning viewers an unforgettable family viewing experience this Independence Day. Our wide-range programming is especially designed for viewers of all age groups and we are in high spirits to celebrate the Independence Day with our viewers.”

    Channel 7 managing editor Ashutosh shares,”Channel 7 with its special programming aims to awaken the spirit of patriotism amongst the audience as India enters the 60th year of Independence. Along with the patriotic element we decided to give a fun filled and lighthearted dimension to Independence Day, with a variety of entertaining shows. We feel confident that viewers will appreciate the shows and we will be successful in truly making Independence Day a memorable one.”