MUMBAI: The real estate sector has always played a significant role in the Indian economy. The time for the sector couldn‘t have been better with huge demand as well as supply in both residential and commercial spheres. Leading the pack of the top real estate investment markets, India is expected to see a rise in FDIs, on the back of progressive reforms by the government as well as the confidence of the players in the segment.

With the increasing number of players in the Real Estate Industry, there is a need to monitor and give credibility to the sector. CNBC AWAAZ Crisil Credai Real Estate Award is India‘s biggest and most credible real estate platform that serves as a definitive benchmark for industry & consumers. Powered with a robust methodology and selection procedure designed by CRISIL, these awards ensure that the best developers and architects are rewarded for their outstanding work and contribution towards the society, the industry, and the nation as a whole.

The CNBC AWAAZ Crisil Credai Real Estate Award 2009 was graced by the presence of Kumari Selja - Minister of Tourism and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Deepak Parekh - Chairman, HDFC. The awards also witnessed attendance from some of the biggest names in the Real Estate Industry who came together to felicitate the best in the sector.
This year‘s association with CREDAI makes these awards even more special by hosting these awards at Natcon 2010. CREDAI brings together 20 state/ city level associations that have over 5000 individual members who share a common vision to improve the real estate industry in India. As real estate is one of India‘s key economy drivers, CREDAI continuously strives towards making the Industry more structured and progressive.

While speaking at the occasion Mr. Sanjay Pugalia, Editor-in-Chief, CNBC AWAAZ said, "Over the past 5 years, CNBC AWAAZ has championed the cause of financial literacy, empowering every community and evolving into a platform for citizens to voice their opinions. The Real Estate sector is growing phenomenally. CNBC AWAAZ Real Estate Awards will help consumers make an informed choice by recognizing the best in the industry."

Methodology of the Awards

CRISIL will be selecting the winners for the various categories of awards based on a rigorous two stage selection procedure. The first stage will be the Short listing stage while the second stage will be the Selection stage.

In the Short listing stage, all the data submitted by the developers in the application form will be thoroughly scrutinized by CRISIL based on stringent short listing criteria. CRISIL might also seek additional information relating to the project from the developer. Based upon the information submitted by the developers, CRISIL will choose a list of finalist in this stage.
In the selection stage, the finalist would be invited to make a presentation in front of the Jury. CRISIL will also ask for a declaration from the developer relating to the project, during this stage. The Jury will evaluate the presentation made by the developer based on the criteria and also ask questions relating to the project and the promoters. The Jury will select the winners for the various categories based upon the presentations made.

The winners of the CNBC AWAAZ Crisil Credai Real Estate Award 2009 include:

The Real Estate Awards recognise the best in the industry that have the potential to raise the bar and set new benchmarks for newer entrants.

MUMBAI: Shobha De, who is often known as India‘s Jackie Collins draws much of the limelight. This time the veteran writer will speak exclusively with Nikhil Wagle, Editor, IBN-Lokmat in Great Bhet on Saturday, 30th January 2010 at 9:30 pm.

In this special rendezvous with Nikhil Wagle on Great Bhet, the graceful lady will talk about her tortuous career journey. Coming from an otherwise orthodox family, the dynamic De started her career in the glitzy field of modeling and created quite a buzz on the ramp. Shobha, in her sixties is followed as a style diva even today. She transited from her glam profession to a literary career in Journalism. Having some renowned names like Stardust, Society, and Celebrity to her credit, Shobha is a known columnist today. She will voice her views about being held responsible for bringing out a sexual revolution through her lucid writings.

Having authored a number of novels on varied issues, the revolutionary writer, will speak about her first book for children titled ?S?s Secret?. Her latest work of fiction throws light into the psyche of a teenager who is considered too old for toys and too young for boys. The book with a simple, na?ve and innocent storyline has got its Marathi edition on the shelves as well. 

With a trademark of speaking her mind, De has earned critical appreciation for her famous novels like ?Socialite Evenings?, Starry Nights?, ?Second Thoughts?, etc which are best sellers.

Grounded to her Maharashtrian roots, the fearless De dame will talk on the stereotype image of the Marathi manoos prevalent in society and her abstinence from getting into the world of politics.

So tune into GREAT BHET on IBN-Lokmat on Saturday, 30th January 2010, at 9:30pm and watch the dynamic Shobha De speak her heart out.

You can also watch the rerun of this ?Great Bhet? episode on Sunday i.e. 31st January 2010 @ 12:00 pm & 5:00 pm.
 

MUMBAI: Megahertz (MHz), an international independent systems integrator, will be highlighting the success of its latest integrated turnkey solutions on the Shaf Broadcast Pvt. Ltd stand at BES EXPO 2010 (Hall 11A, Stands 5 to 9) being held in the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre, January 29-31 2010.

MHz?s success in India is due to a combination of local skilled staff supported by the global expertise that MHz brings to deliver on large production workflow projects. MHz ensures additional cost-efficiencies are achieved by hiring local wiremen, electrical technicians and engineers who worked alongside the MHz specialists to successfully deliver the project on time and within budget. The results are clearly evident in some of the recently completed HD studio and file-based workflows at newsroom including those at the Times Group India and Mahaa TV. 

Building on these recent achievements in India, BES EXPO will see MHz highlight its expertise across engineering planning, project management, design, product evaluation, through to commissioning, training and support and IT services. These services alongside additional value added in-house capabilities that include CAD design, wiring, coach building and cabinet making, ideally position MHz for delivering end-to-end HD solutions to its global customers.

?We have a clear understanding of our customer?s business objectives which enables us to deliver the best matched technical and operation solutions to meet their needs,? said Robert Stopford, Sales Director of Megahertz. ?We work closely with Shaf, our partner in India, to ensure that our customers receive a first-rate local level of service and support ? and this has been instrumental to our success in the region.?

Part of the AZCAR Group, one of the worlds largest and longest-established independent broadcast systems integrators, MHz plays a significant role in designing and delivering innovative solutions to the world?s leading broadcasters, telecommunication and digital media companies.
 

MUMBAI: For over fifty years, Music?s Biggest Night?, the GRAMMY Awards?, has celebrated the music and artists that have touched the hearts and souls of people all over the world. Now, the 2010 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, to be held on 1st February, 2010, is poised to carry on the incredible tradition that has helped make the annual, 3?-hour STAR World special the world?s most popular television musical event for over three decades! STAR World invites its viewers to cheer the Indian nominees and be a part of the massive musical gathering on 1st Feb at 6.30am LIVE on STAR World!

The Grammy awards has always been a spectacular mix of exhilarating performances, exciting productions and exceptional ratings, with almost every major international music star appearing and/or performing on the show. This year?s show will witness the performances of well known international musicians who are also this year?s nominees like Bon Jovi, Beyonc?, the Black Eyed Peas, the Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Maxwell, P!nk, Taylor Swift, and the Zac Brown Band. Other nominees this year include Kayne .West, Jay Z, David Guetta, Kings of Leon, Bruce Springsteen and Keith Urpan. 

The Indian Nominations for Grammys include musical wizards like A R Rahman, Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. The track ?Jai Ho?, which got Rahman two Academy awards and a Golden Globe, has been nominated in the category of Best Song written for Motion Picture, Television or Other visual media. Rahman has also been nominated in the category of ?Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other visual Media for Slumdog Millionaire. Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain has been nominated for the 52nd Grammy award in the Best Classical Crossover album category for the album ?The Melody of Rhythm?. "The Melody of Rhythm" consists of artists like Leonard Slatkin, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer apart from Zakir Hussain. Rahim AlHaj and Amjad Ali Khan have been honoured by the Recording Academy with a 2010 Grammy Nomination in the Best Traditional World Music Category for their CD ?Ancient Sound?.

any well known international artistes like Kristen Bell, Justin Bieber, Jeff Bridges, Miley Cyrus, Josh Duhamel, The Jonas Brothers, Norah Jones, Ke$Ha, Ll Cool J, Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, and Ringo Starr are the first presenters that have been announced for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. While the three and a half hour event will air LIVE from the Staples Centre, Los Angeles at 6.30am on 1st Feb, STAR World viewers can catch a repeat of the same at 6.30 pm on the same day. The show will also have a weekend repeat on 7th Feb at 6.30pm.

Be there for more of the ?next 50 years? when the world?s brightest music stars light up the stage again on television?s most prestigious annual music event ? The 2010 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards; Monday 1st Feb LIVE at 6.30am only on STAR World!
 

MUMBAI: Visual Computing Labs (VCL), a division of Tata Elxsi Ltd and a leading animation and visual communications studio, has bagged two coveted honors for mind blowing animation and visual effects at the 56th National Film Awards for 2008. Roadside Romeo, India?s first purely-entertainment animated theatrical motion picture, created by Tata Elxsi Ltd.?s Visual Computing Labs (VCL) division has won the ?Best Animation Film? National Award for its technical achievements to further the craft of animation for mainstream audience. Mumbai Meri Jaan has won the ?Best Special Effects? award for the stunning use of technical effects of visual shorts to mirror a man-made disaster.

Instituted by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, these National Awards for VCL are a fitting testimony to the kind of high end animation and visual effects work that VCL has become synonymous with over the years. This is the second instance where VCL has won a National Film Award. VCL had previously won the ?Best Special Effects? honor at the 53rd National Film awards for the super-hit Tamil movie Anniyan.
Expressing delight and commenting on the award wins, Mr. Pankaj Khandpur, Creative Director, VCL, Tata Elxsi Ltd said, ?This is an exhilarating moment for all of us at Tata Elxsi?s VCL. Our goal with Roadside Romeo was to create a quality production that would set the standard for future 3D animated Bollywood movies and we are happy to have achieved that. Indian animation has truly come a long way and with Roadside Romeo, we are happy to have advanced it to a totally new altitude.?
Roadside Romeo is the first in a series of original and exclusive 3D animated features to be tailor made for Indian audiences as part of the alliance between Yash Raj Films and Walt Disney where VCL is the animation partner. It is the story of a cute pet dog, Romeo, who was leading a happy life until the family decides to move. They abandon him on the mean streets of Mumbai. Romeo faces the hardship of a stray dog but with time, he adapts to the roadside life style, finds love and settles into a normal life. 

Roadside Romeo was released worldwide on October 24, 2008 and has since then received rave reviews on the quality of animation portrayed in the movie. VCL executed the complete visual design and animation for the movie which is a joint venture of Yash Raj Films and Walt Disney. Credit for film Roadside Romeo as under:

Pankaj Khandpur ? Creative Director

Sherry Bharda ? Creative Supervisor

Shrirang Sathaye ? Animation Director

Suhael Merchant ? Animation Director

Another invigorating work of VCL can be seen in the film Mumbai Meri Jaan, produced by UTV motion pictures. Mumbai Meri Jaan is based on Mumbai train blasts of July 11, 2006, the story deals with lives of 6 people in the aftermath of blast. VCL recreated the blast in CG bringing out the severity of incident. The depiction is seen to be photo real in nature to have the desired impact on audience. The work for this CG blast in the film was executed by VFX supervisor- Goverdhan Vigraham and Creative Director Pankaj Kandpur.

The 56th National Film Awards were announced on Saturday, 23rd January 2010 in New Delhi. The National Film Awards is administrated by the Indian government‘s Directorate of Film Festivals and is the most prominent film award ceremony in India, as also one of our country‘s oldest awards.
 

MUMBAI: It is not so unusual for companies to reward it?s A-raters with a professional membership, which is what a few months ago Lintas Media Group (LMG) did to encourage and enthuse their young professionals when as many as ten (10) youngsters were given the Young Professional memberships of the India Chapter of International Advertising Association (IC-IAA).

Last month as soon as IAA announced that the 42nd IAA World Congress is scheduled to be held in Moscow, Russian Federation, between May 12th and May14th, 2010, LMG decided to send two (2) of their Young Professional members to the Moscow Congress, at LMG?s cost, after a minor ?contest?.

In order to be selected they were asked to send in a five hundred word essay on why they think they should go to Moscow to attend this Congress. The winners were to be selected by a panel of three judges from the IAA India Chapter?s Board, and not any one from the agency, to rule out any biases. The entries, they were told, would be decided on the basis of innovation and creativity, expression of key LMG values, and overall communication quality of the submission.

The key LMG values were explained as - a strong performance orientation, and growth by collaboration.

The email IDs of the three eminent judges who are also Committee Members from India are also on the IAA World Board [Ms Pheroza Bilimoria - Managing Director, Business India Publications Ltd. and Hon. Secretary IAA World Board; Mr Pradeep Guha - Managing Director, Culture Company (I) Pvt. Ltd. and Immediate Past President and current Vice President & Area Director for IAA Asia Pacific Region and Mr Raj Nayak, CEO - NDTV Media Ltd. and President of the India Chapter of IAA] were shared with them and so that the 10 contestants could email their submissions directly by January 15, 2010.

Each mark sheet has been collected; collated and final scores have been compiled by the India Chapter of the IAA.

The same is now in a sealed envelope which will be opened and the winners would be announced at LMG?s annual conference in Pattaya on Friday the 29th January, 2010.

?There were stars in their eyes of LMG?s Young Professionals! They were thrilled that their words were read and judged by such distinguished people who are also on the IAA World Board?, said Ms Lynn de Souza, Chairman & CEO - Lintas Media Group and Honorary Secretary India Chapter of IAA.

Mr Raj Nayak said, ?This is a wonderful way to incentivise and persuade youngsters to push the envelope.? He also said that he was hopeful that more and more companies would be making them IAA young Professional Members and thereby giving them greater international exposure to the world of advertising and marketing.