ITV

Tag: Uttarakhand

  • National Geographic finds hope in Kedarnath

    National Geographic finds hope in Kedarnath

    MUMBAI: Marking a year of the tragic event of the flash floods of Kedarnath, National Geographic Channel is set to showcase the current realities of the region in its new documentary Kedarnath: Restoring the Faith. Bringing forward the efforts of restoration and stories of the survivors, the documentary will track everything that has happened after the calamity struck the region of Uttarakhand in June last year. The documentary will premiere on Friday, June 27th, 2014 at 10 pm.

     

    The documentary is set to provide a comprehensive view on the tragedy with a brief recap on the disaster, survivor stories through extensive interviews, restoration efforts in the valley and rescue operations by the armed forces. Kedarnath: Restoring the Faith focuses on the miraculous stories of the survivors and the herculean efforts of the rescue teams. The horrors of the survivors and the triumphs of rescue missions are brought to life through first-hand accounts, survivors own cell phone videos, graphics and recreations as the viewer is  taken back to ground zero to witness the wrath of nature as it came crashing down on mankind.

     

    Swati Mohan, Vice President, Programming & Content, NGC Networks and FOX International Channels, said, “Exactly a year back, the disaster at Kedarnath shook all of us. While the tragedy brought with it much horror and grief, there were many stories of inspiration, selflessness and bravery that the world needs to hear about. It is these very stories that we have attempted to capture in this new documentary. With exclusive coverage of the disaster site one year hence, this special also talks about efforts of rebuilding the area to restore Kedarnath to the place that it used to be.”

     

    Kedarnath: Restoring the Faith premiers on Friday, June 27th, at 10 pm on National Geographic Channel.

  • Zee Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand Rechristened As ‘Zee Sangam’

    Zee Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand Rechristened As ‘Zee Sangam’

    MUMBAI: Zee Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand has been an integral part of the news-media landscape of these two states for many years. The channel, as a part of India’s largest news network, Zee Media Corporation Limited, has always been at the forefront with its incisive and unbiased coverage and analysis of news. In recognition of their trust in the channel, viewers in these states have consistently rewarded the channel with the No. 1 rank.  

    Zee Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand has now been renamed Zee Sangam, as it is the face and voice of the people of the land of the Sangam. Sangam is a name that symbolizes and epitomizes the essence and is truly representative of a culturally rich region and its proud people.

    Zee Sangam provides its viewers a fusion of local, regional, and global news apart from insightful programming and perspectives on local culture, trends, industry, agriculture, history and heritage. The channel has always showcased the authentic and real face of Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand. Whether in highlighting the accomplishments of its people with events like Avadh Samman or by first-on-ground coverage and critical analysis of disasters in Uttarakhand and riots in Muzaffarnagar, the channel has been a forerunner.

    It is therefore no surprise that as the leading news channel of these states, Zee Uttar Pradesh /Uttarakhand has maintained its numero uno position with more than 45% share in the market (CS 15+Tam, Wk 10, UP).

    Mr. Vasindra Mishra – Editor Regional Channel, said, “A symbolically rich name like ‘Sangam’ will create a more intense connect with our viewers as our content is a perfect blend of traditional and modern India. ‘Sangam’ serves its viewers not only with news of Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand, but also real-time coverage of national & international news.  Apart from news, there would be a blend of cultural programming, intellectual debates and many more flavors for the viewers of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to enjoy. We expect this to further strengthen the affinity that viewers have for our channel.”

  • Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand tops channel race in its region

    Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand tops channel race in its region

    NEW DELHI: Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand is the most preferred channel in its region and has been a resounding hit. According to TAM data, the channel is No. 1 in terms of viewership. The channel has acquired the No. 1 spot leaving behind channels like ETV UP and Buland News UPUT.

    The channel has become the preferred channel in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, because of its informative content that caters viewers from all walks of life. Its programming mix has created a niche for itself, resulting in huge and loyal viewership. Source: TAM, Viewership data in (GTVT’000), CS 15+, Avg. 4 Weeks (Wk 31-Wk 34 ’13), Uttar Pradesh.

    Going by its philosophy “Apna Pradesh, Apna Desh”, the channel strikes the right balance between National and Regional News, Current Affairs Programming with Feature Programming like Naari, Money Matters, and recently started Debate@8. In a nutshell, the channel’s objective is to inform viewers not only about their region, but also about other relevant information from across the country.

    Speaking on the achievement, Zee News Regional Channels editor Vasindra Mishra said, “It’s due to the programming mix and content that we have been successful in educating and empowering our viewers, and this is the reason why most of the viewers in our genre patronise our channel. It has been our constant endeavour to innovate and create content tailor-made for the viewers’ needs and this is the cornerstone to the consistent success of the Channel. Hopefully we will continue to deliver content as per our viewers’ choice and they will continue to like us as always.”

    Zee Media CEO Alok Agarwal said, “We have put in the best of our efforts by adapting our self to the regular feedbacks, Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand resonates well with the people of both the states and best exemplifies the new-found zeal, aspiration and resilience of the people of the two states. Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand believes is filling a void in the viewing experience of our viewers in these two states. The viewers have selected us over competition and this surely makes us feel special as well as more responsible to our duties.”

    Zee Media, which beams Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand is the pioneer of News Channels in the country and has always been on the forefront of promoting regional programming. With over 100 million viewers, the largest news network in the country has always provided content to its viewers which is topical and of relevance to the viewer, keeping in mind the ever-dynamic taste of the viewers.

  • Exset introduces DMS for the cable operators of Uttarakhand

    MUMBAI: Netherland-based Exset has announced the availability of its award winning Digital Monetisation Solution (DMS) for the Television Cable Operators of Uttarakhand. 

     

    DMS is a revolutionary all-encompassing service which includes technology at the core, surrounded by localised applications, supported by business alliances delivering the objectives on the TV screens via a low cost Set Top Box (STB). One advantage via DMS – an operator asset has the potential to give the largest thrust to governance in the coming decade. 

    The Uttarkhand initiative announcement was made at the Press Conference at Dehradun recently. During the Conference, various models which could be adopted by the Cable Operators during the digitization process across Uttarakhand were also shared. 

     

    “Keeping in view the digitisation of the Cable Television in this country, we have introduced a unique proposition for the cable operators which will enable them to meet the challenges of digitisation, and also result in positive impact on their revenue stream,” said Exset BV MD and CEO Alex Borland.   

     

    “With adoption of DMS, the local cable operators of Uttarakhand will not only witness an increase in their revenues, but will also enable them to further enhance the end customer experience. This way they will be able to retain and satisfy their customers also,” said Exset BV director-business development for strategic markets Hema Suri. 

     

    Till recently, the Cable Operators across India were depended on monthly subscription fee for their revenue, which is bound to change with the digitization of television cable industry across the Country. “Once implemented, DMS would enhance the revenue stream for the local cable operators will enhance once they offer more value added services to the end customers. Exset’s solution will enable them to do so by connecting them to the flow of information,” said Exset BV regional director south Asia Pradeep Acharya. 

     

    Exset technology has already been adopted by RMEC in Cambodia, Lybid in Ukraine, Koffee Media and is used by one of the world’s largest DTH operators based in Russia.

  • Dell reaches out to 12,000 direct beneficiaries in Uttarakhand via Oxfam India

    Dell reaches out to 12,000 direct beneficiaries in Uttarakhand via Oxfam India

    Bangalore: In response to the severe flash floods in Uttarakhand, Dell India has come forward to strengthen Oxfam India's relief and rehabilitation work in the region with a contribution of USD 220,000. The donation has enabled Oxfam India to reach out to 12,000 affected people, in 2000 households across 25 villages. The relief effort includes providing shelter, water sanitation and hygiene support, emergency food supply and also the initiation of cash for work in the affected areas of Uttarakhand.

    Additionally, Dell employees have made a contribution of USD 27,000, towards the relief effort in Uttarakhand. This contribution was facilitated by a disaster relief program established under Dell Powering the Possible, Dell's umbrella CSR program. Dell is determined to help communities get back on their feet and has demonstrated its commitment by making a matching grant for every contribution made by employees, dollar for dollar.

    Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, President Dell India & Executive Sponsor of Dell Powering the Possible for India said, "At this difficult point in time, our thoughts are with the victims of the flash floods and all those who have been affected by the tragedy. Dell remains committed to supporting relief and rehabilitation efforts in the region through our Powering the Possible program and lending our expertise in any way possible."

    Elaborating on the relief efforts Nisha Agrawal, CEO Oxfam India, said, "Oxfam India is grateful to Dell India and its employees for extending their support at this crucial juncture. Being a focus state for Oxfam India, our work in Uttarakhand goes beyond relief to sustainability and livelihood creation. It is only with the support of corporates like Dell that we can expand our reach and create a larger, more long lasting impact."

  • Star ropes in stars to raise funds for Uttarakhand rehabilitation

    Star ropes in stars to raise funds for Uttarakhand rehabilitation

    MUMBAI: When Star India CEO Uday Shankar watched hundreds of innocent tourists and locals being swept away and buildings being flattened by the rising waters of the Mandakani river in June this year, he was at first horrified by the magnitude of the tragedy and then moved to action. He vowed to himself, that he would put in his best to help in the rebuilding efforts in the affected areas. He made a call to the two Bhatts of Bollywood- Mahesh and Mukesh and sought their support in putting together a fund-raising initiative which would involve the film and television fraternity.
    This is an opportunity for the entire Hindi film industry to stand by people who have showered them with unconditional love, says Star’s Uday Shankar
    He also connected with Wizcraft’s Sabbas Joseph, asking him to pitch in this with his mite. And he deputed Star India senior VP marketing Yogesh Manwani to go down to Uttarakhand to study and assess the situation and gauge the funds required to rehabilitate the afflicted areas with major NGOs working there.
    Come 15 August 2013, and Uday’s initiative will see the light of day at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI)’s spanking new stadium in Central Mumbai. On stage will be the biggest names from Bollywood, the Bachchan family – it’s quite likely that the Bachchan bahu Aishwarya will get on stage after a long hiatus, Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, AR Rahman, Lata Mangeshkar, Ayushmann Khurana, Akshay Kumar, Pritam, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Ajay Devgn, Kajol and Prasoon Joshi, among many others.
    The event titled Saath Hain Hum Uttarakhand will be telecast live on a clutch of channels of the Star India network – Life OK, Star Plus, Star Jalsa, Star World, Star Utsav, Star Movies, Star Gold, Star Pravah, Movies OK, Channel V and Star Plus.
    So what’s so great about doing another multi-starrer event with film and TV performers? Have we not seen many of them and felt like going ho-hum? The difference this time is that this one has very noble intentions. Every paisa that Star India earns courtesy ad revenues and sponsorship during the telecast will be donated to NGOs working in the Uttarakhand. The telecast is slated to run for seven hours from 12 noon to 7pm. Estimates are that Star is likely to give away Rs 20-30 crore which it will rake in courtesy the telecast.
    The biggest names from Bollywood have been roped in for the event titled Saath Hain Hum Uttarakhand
    Amitabh will lend his mesmerising voice to recite couplets from Prasoon’s magical poetry that’ll be set to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music. The enthralling musical act will weave Prasoon’s event anthem – Mera Desh- into an enchanting song performance by acclaimed classical singer Shankar Mahadevan and a spellbinding poetic rendition by Amitabh. At the time of writing, several other stars like Rani Mukerji and Karan Johar were also approached.
    Says Star India CEO Uday Shankar, “Mera Desh is an invocation by India’s most revered artists with a simple and clear message to fellow citizens — to look at tragedy squarely in the eye and overcome it by joining hands. Star India is humbled to receive support from Hindi cinema’s biggest icons.”
    “The noble initiative is an opportunity for the entire Hindi film industry to stand by the very people who have showered us with unconditional love and have made us who we are,” says Bachchan. “We have come together to ease the pain of fellow men who suffered the agonising pain that this unprecedented calamity brought with itself.”
    All the anchors and stars will be urging audiences at home to open their wallets and donate funds for Uttarakhand
    This apart, anchors will be rotated every hour. Among some of the names from the TV industry which are being talked about include: Deepika Singh (Sandhya), Anas Rashid (Sooraj), Karan Mehra (Naitik), Mahadev fame Mohit Raina and Pooja Bose. “The show will be loaded with entertainment,” says a source close to the production. Wizcraft has had the experience of raising funds through greenathons and long-format events. But they have left the fund-raising to Star which is setting up payment gateways online. All the anchors and stars will be urging audiences at home to open their wallets and donate funds for Uttarakhand.”
    The main choreographer for the event is Sanjay Shetty who has become the darling of most live event organisers in recent times. The creative inputs will come courtesy Star India senior vice president programming Anil Jha. Wizcraft TV head Namit Sharma is the creative head and Asim Sen has been roped in as the TV director, Anurag Dingra will be the director of photography, while sets are being done by designer Varshai Desai. Wizcraft sound firm Performance Audio has been signed on for the sound while Atul Sonpal is responsible for the lights design with the help of lights from SFX and Ulhas will look after lights. Tech gear, cameras are being supplied by Real Impact.
    Technical and production crew disclosed that they were either working free of cost or at concessional rates for the event. “We are doing it for a cause,” says one of them. “Star has been reaching out to all who have been working with it on shows in the past to come in at really discounted rates.”
    Star India has emerged as one of the front runners on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) front amongst media firms ever since Shankar took over as CEO four years ago. This initiative should take the network even further still.

  • NGC to air one hour long documentary on the natural calamity in Uttarakhand

    NGC to air one hour long documentary on the natural calamity in Uttarakhand

    NEW DELHI: National Geographic Channel is known for inspiring its viewers and satisfying the innate curiosity through its innovative shows that challenge what we know and how we perceive our world. NGC has created award winning documentaries that capture events with a global impact such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Bhopal Gas Tragedy & Hurricane Sandy through shows like “Seconds from Disaster” & “Trapped”. These special documentaries go beyond the headlines, explore deep inside the events leading up to the catastrophe as well its aftermath and humanise the tragedy through personal accounts of survival & loss.

     

    NGC is now producing a special documentary on the recent natural calamity in Uttarakhand, which will attempt to understand why this happened and how it happened. The documentary would take viewers back to the initial terrifying moments of the catastrophe and also the rescue and evacuation efforts spearheaded by the Armed Forces, with insights from valorous soldiers who rescued thousands of trapped civilians. It would also showcase interviews with experts and scientists who will shed light on the entire disaster. As the nation still struggles to come to terms with the destructive flood that washed away everything in its path, the documentary would track the events as it unfolded.

     

    Commenting on the documentary, Fox International Channels VP content programming Swati Mohan said, “The floods in Uttarkhand are extremely unfortunate and have once again unraveled our helplessness when faced by nature’s wrath. The mass devastation and destruction caused is appalling. Through this documentary we intend to look into the calamity from multiple points of view. From exploring factors that led to the flood, to looking at the mammoth task of recovery and rehabilitation that lies ahead – the documentary will provide our viewers a deeper and better understanding of the ‘Himalayan Tsunami’.”

  • Bollywood to raise funds for Uttarakhand victims

    Bollywood to raise funds for Uttarakhand victims

    MUMBAI: Uttarakhand which has been ravaged by floods and landslides, and many people lost their lives and the rest lost everything else. The catastrophic calamity that has hit the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand and left the once beautiful valley in ruins is mind numbing.

    Bollywood, taking its foot forward will do its bit in rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Uttarakhand.

    In order to help the people affected by the tragedy, the film industry will organise an event on 15 August to raise funds for rebuilding and rehabilitation projects in the hill state.

    Filmmaker, Mukesh Bhatt is the president of Film and Television Producers Guild of India told the media about the initiative.

    It has been reported that superstars Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan have contributed Rs 25 lakh each for the victims of the natural disaster.

  • Star India, Hindi film industry join hands in efforts to help flood-ravaged Uttarakhand

    Star India, Hindi film industry join hands in efforts to help flood-ravaged Uttarakhand

    MUMBAI: Star India, one of the leading media and entertainment conglomerate, will strengthen the on-going efforts at rehabilitation in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand by raising funds to help bring comfort to victims of the tragedy.

    Leading actors from Bollywood will join Star’s fund-raiser – a seven-hour marathon event on the occasion of Independence Day – the company claims in that this is a first such effort by the entertainment industry to ease the sufferings of people impacted by the floods.
    Star India CEO Uday Shankar

    The entire advertising revenue generated through the event will be channelled to not-for-profit organisations that are working diligently to restore normalcy in Uttarakhand.

    “The tragedy in Uttarakhand is a solemn opportunity for every Indian to lend a helping hand,” Star India CEO Uday Shankar said. “This occasion demands that people join forces to support those in need. It’s heartening that people are coming together and our role is only that of a catalyst.”

    Early confirmation of stars supporting the initiative include Indian cinema’s icons Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Anil Kapoor, AR Rahman, Boman Irani, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam, Prasoon Joshi, Mukesh Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurana and celebrities from top television shows of the Star network such as ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’, ‘Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara’, ‘Saraswatichandra’, ‘Savdhaan India’, ‘Devon Ke Dev Mahadev’ and ‘India’s Dancing Superstars’ among others.

    Ogilvy & Mather has partnered Star India as the creative agency for the on-ground event that’ll be managed by Wizcraft.

    Film Producers Guild, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), TV Artists Forum, Corporate Charity Trusts and several independent industrialists and donors will partner Star India’s Independence Day marathon fund-raiser that will be attended by senior leaders from the state and central governments.

    “I am delighted that the Indian film industry has embraced our outreach plan and is partnering with us in this initiative to spread hope,” Shankar added.

    “Both television and the Hindi film industry consider it as their primary responsibility to do their bit for the very same people who have showered us with unconditional love and affection. We hope that our efforts will sensitise millions of viewers and inspire them to contribute whole heartedly towards the daunting task of rebuilding the state,” president of the Film & Television Producers Guild Mukesh Bhatt said.

    The gala event will be telecast live on key channels of the Star India network including flagship Star Plus, Life OK, Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star Utsav and Channel V.

    Viewers would also be encouraged to aid the mammoth task of rebuilding the hill-state.

    FWICE president Dharmesh Tiwari and general secretary Dinesh Chaturvedi said that they are happy to partner Star India in this joint initiative to raise awareness and funds.

    “We are delighted to express our support and join hands with Star India and the film industry to celebrate the Independence Day, dedicated to the people of Uttarakhand”, said Wizcraft International Entertainment director Wiz Sabbas Joseph.

    Star India had, earlier this month, started focused campaigns featuring renowned artistes from the network’s popular shows, urging its viewers to support Uttarakhand’s cause by making generous donations. The network had partnered renowned NGO Goonj for this initiative.

    In addition, the employees of Star India also pitched in to the relief efforts and made generous donations. Star will match the contribution made by its employees and will closely monitor the proper utilisation of these funds.