Mumbai? MAX, the Premium Hindi Movies and Special Events channel, invites you to watch the Television Premier of the blockbuster hit Aarakshan, this Republic Day, 26th Jan Thursday at 12:00 PM and 8.00 PM.

Aarakshan is socio- political drama on one of the most controversial policies of caste based reservations in educational institutions.
It is the story of Mr. Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), an idealistic principal of a college who has single-handedly made STM College, one of the best institution in the state.

Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan), who is Dr. Anand‘s favorite student belongs to a low caste background and helps and supports his idol, Mr. Anand. Deepak and Mr. Anand‘s daughter, Poorbi (Deepika Padukone) are close friends and study together in college along with Sushant (Prateik Babbar).

The movie suddenly becomes a rollercoaster ride of high drama, conflict, and rebellion, when the Supreme Court grants reservation for backward classes and here is conflict created between the upper class, who are against the idea of reservation and the backward class, who are for reservation.

This Republic day, 26th Jan Thursday, tune in to Double dose of entertainment with Aarakshan at 12:00 PM and 8.00 PM, Only on MAX, Deewana Bana De!

MUMBAI: What would you choose ? a good book or a mediocre film adapted on it? For most kids today apparently it is a no contest, they wouldn?t go anywhere near the book. So what can we do about it? Strand has the answer. It was in the form of a large installation at their annual sale. To promote reading among kids you need more than just a SALE you need an idea that persuades them especially their parents.

At the book sale in Mumbai, Strand installed a large autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. As you approach the book and asked a question, it started answering it.

People found it intriguing as well as fascinating. Not just Gandhiji, kids present at the venue got to ask questions to Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs and a few more great people. It was as if the great legends were preaching their philosophy and surprisingly, the children were excited to learn from them.

?People may not like reading but they still love talking, the book may not be a big hit with kids but cell phone definitely is. We decided to position books as a means to have breakthrough conversations in life. And that?s where the idea of a talking book emerged.? Revealed KV Sridhar National Creative Director, Leo Burnett, India.

Vidya Virkar, Managing Partner, Strand Book Stall strongly feels that parents should read at least one story a day to their kids which will turn their kids into active readers.

All in all, the Talking Book was a great success, Strand Book Stall is eager to take the activity to more places like in Mumbai and outside.Surely kids will have a great time and will hopefully start a relationship with books.

Mumbai? Welcome G.One this New Year as he greets you on Star GOLD with the World Television Premiere of the most talked about film of 2011 ? Ra.One on the 21st of January at 9 PM.

With the leadership of the Hindi Movie Genre under its belt, the World TV Premiere of Ra.One will further cement Star GOLD?s efforts of entertaining viewers with the biggest and the best of Bollywood. With Ra.One, the channel brings alive the age old premise that good always overcomes evil. After all ?Superhero banta nahi hai muscle ya metal parts se, Superhero banta hai sirf apne HART se?. Through this premiere, G.One will inspire the superhero inside everyone to karo their dil ki.

The World TV Premiere of Ra.One is being promoted on Star GOLD with support from the Star Network and a couple of other channels. Besides TV, Print and Outdoor in select cities coupled with a ?Ra.One Photo Mash up Application on Facebook is being utilized to sustain the excitement for the premiere on the channel.

Hemal Jhaveri, General Manager, STAR Gold, said, ?2011 was a very exciting year for us with Star Gold starting afresh and propelling ourselves as leaders in the category. Our investments in creating a strong movie portfolio paid off and the focus is now on creating a great consumer experience. We welcomed 2012 as leaders and intend to enthrall our viewers with many more premieres in the coming year to become the first port of call for Hindi movies in India.?

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, Ra One is the story of Shekhar (Shah Rukh Khan), a video game designer trying hard to fit-in in his son, Prateek?s cool world. Shekhar on his wife Sonia?s (Kareena Kapoor) request uses his son?s idea, and creates a game with the antagonist RA One, stronger than the protagonist, G.One. With the firm?s new technology that enables digital characters? to come to life, RA One (Arjun Rampal) enters the real world and kills Shekhar. In order to kill RA One, Prateek brings G.One (Shah Rukh Khan) to life. Is G.One powerful enough to destroy RA One or does RA One use his evil forces to conquer the world? Does Sonia get Shekhar back in the form of G.One?

Watch Shah Rukh Khan ?Karo his Dil Ki? in India?s first sci-fi superhero film only on Star Gold this Saturday, 21st January at 9 pm.
 

Mumbai: CNBC-TV18, India?s no. 1 English business news channel has yet again hosted the 7th edition of ?India Business Leader Awards 2012? (IBLA)-Asia?s most distinguished awards for Excellence in Leadership, presented by Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd. The awards witnessed some of the brightest stars from India Inc. take centre stage in a glittering ceremony, which was presided over by the Honorable Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee at The Lalit, Connaught Place, New Delhi. The India Business Leader Awards are a continuation of the tradition set by CNBC?s Asia Business Leader Awards.

?India Business Leader Awards 2012? has been established to honor the individuals and organizations that have created new benchmarks for corporate excellence and have taken Indian Business to a new echelon of fame.

The winners of IBLA were selected through an extensive multi stage selection process, perfected over the years with an experience in over 12 countries. In the final stage, an eminent jury selected the leaders in different award categories. This year the Jury was chaired by Mr. Mukesh Ambani. Mr. KM Birla, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Ms. Chanda Kochhar and Mr. Deepak Parekh joined Mr. Ambani to draw up a stellar list of winners.

The awards witnessed luminaries from the Business fraternity like Ms. Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director, ICICI Bank; Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group; Mr. Deepak Parekh, Non-Executive Chairman, HDFC; Mr. B. Muthuraman, Vice Chairman, Tata Steel; Mayank Pareek, Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki; Renu karnad, Additional Director, HDFC; Ajai Chowdhry, Founder & Chairman - HCL Infosystems; Kris Gopalkrishnan, Co-Founder & Executive Co-Chairman, Infosys amongst others.

Speaking at the occasion, Honorable Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said; ?I would like to congratulate CNBC TV 18 on an excellent programme, India Business Leader Awards 2012, a platform that recognizes the individuals and organization who have created new benchmarks for corporate excellence and have taken Indian Business to a new echelon of fame.?

Further adding to this, he stated that; ?The Indian economy cannot be fully insulated from global threats as the world economy particularly the Eurozone remains fragile; the growth rate could fall below seven per cent in the current financial year from 8.5 per cent a year ago. There are some clear signals of inflation moderating in the coming months. I am expecting (inflation) to be in the range of 6-7 per cent by end March, Our growth for 2011-12 may be around seven per cent. Despite the challengesbefore us, I am confident that we will improve our short term growth prospects in the coming months. The Indian currency has depreciated by over 16 per cent against US dollar in the current financial year.

In the year of extreme difficulty, success can only be achieved by hard work.?

Speaking about the awards, Mr. Udayan Mukherjee, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18 said, ?IBLA was initiated 7 years ago to honor India?s most outstanding business leaders for their contribution to India Inc. Its success can be dictated by the fact that it has become a benchmark in achievement. This year we have continued this initiative to salute those captains of industry who have braved the turbulent international conditions and kept India?s flag flying high.?

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Babulal Varma, Managing Director, Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd said, ?We salute the genius and valor of the Indian business fraternity and are proud to be associated with CNBC?s Indian Business Leader Awards, which commend and appreciate such pioneers.?

MUMBAI: One of Disney?s most popular family movies ever ?The Jungle Book?, loved the world over for its memorable music (who says bears can?t sing!), thrilling adventures and unforgettable characters comes to Disney Channel on 26th January 2012 at 11 am. This playful mix of music, laughs and thrills will be telecast in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

This 1968 animated classic and Academy Award nominated film was the last one to be mentored by Walt Disney himself. The movie is a celebrated adaptation of Rudyard Kipling?s literary classic story set in the Pench forests in India. The lush and exciting jungle comes alive as we embark on a thrilling, adventure-filled journey with the young Indian boy, Mowgli and his jungle pals who teach him the true meaning of friendship while protecting him from the treacherous tiger Shere Khan.

Says Natasha Malhotra VP and GM, Walt Disney Television International India, ?Disney Channel is delighted to premiere this song-filled celebration of friendship, fun and adventure. The Jungle Book has a very special place in our hearts not only because it was the last film to receive Walt Disney?s personal touch but also because it is a great tale set in an Indian jungle with lovable characters and a timeless story, sure to entertain the entire family both young and old?.

Little Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the Indian jungle is happy just enjoying the ?Bare Necessities? with his buddies, especially happy-go-lucky bear Baloo. However, the vicious tiger, Shere Khan decides that the ?man-cub? must be eliminated because of the threat he will pose to tigers once he grows into a man. So the wise panther Bagheera sets out to return him to the ?man village?, where he will be safe. The exciting journey through the jungle holds many dangers and surprises. After falling out of the coils of a hungry hypnotic python named Kaa and falling in with a herd of military elephants, the ?man-cub? meets the carefree bear named Baloo who teaches Mowgli the song ?The Bare Necessities? of life and the true meaning of friendship. Other musical highlights include, ?I Wan?na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)?, by Jazzy King Louie and the hepcat monkeys, the sneaky ?Trust in Me? by Kaa and?That?s What Friends are For??

?The Jungle Book is a toe-tapping adventure filled with fun and surprises while also emphasizing values like loyalty, honor, courage, persistence and integrity making it a timeless Disney classic?, adds Natasha.

Disney Channel also gives you a chance to download the best-loved songs from this fun-filled musical journey. All you have to do is watch the film, look out for the short code on your screen during the songs and send a message to 56060. The songs are downloadable in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Often noted to be ?the happiest possible way to remember Walt Disney?, the jungle starts jumpin? on your television screens on January 26, 2012 at 11 am on Disney Channel. Be a part of the adventure with Mowgli and his friends. This is a journey you shouldn?t miss taking!

Mumbai: India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd is a leading two wheeler brand that has been seeding the Indian market with breakthrough technology and innovation. And, the market has responded brilliantly to its most recent launch, that of Yamaha R15 version 2.0.

On 11 January 2012, Mudra Max rolled out an exclusive event for the media, customers and online contest winners to interact with Yamaha?s MotoGP star? Jorge Lorenzo who has notched two 250cc world titles and even won the 2010 MotoGP title. The event held at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida was organized in two parts, commencing with online contest winners and customers meeting their star- Lorenzo, followed by a press conference addressing the national media (print ,TV & online). A range of exciting questions were posed by the media to the management team of Yamaha and Lorenzo. The media was also given time to have a close interaction with the star rider with a setup which showcased the Indian masterpiece R15 version 2.0- recent addition.

Yamaha gave four chosen customers a life time opportunity to ride with their star rider for 2.5 km laps while other customers were given an opportunity to experience the track with special assistance from BIC & Yamaha Racing team. The selected online contest winners received riding helmets autographed by Lorenzo .The event also proved thrilling to all the fans present at the venue as they received posters autographed by Lorenzo. Yamaha also gave instant group photographs to their customers as a remembrance.

Emphasizing the concept of the event, Sanjay Kacker, Sr. VP, Celsius said, ?The event was a grand success and a memorable one for all the motorcycle enthusiasts.?

Adding comments on the occasion, Mr. Roy Kurian, National Business Head, India Yamaha Motor said, ?We are delighted to provide this opportunity to our customers to meet their favorite racing star ? Jorge Lorenzo and would like to extend our thanks to Mudra Max for organizing this event so well.?