MUMBAI: As the first terror bullet smashed the Mumbai eventide calm, something deeper was stirred across India. Valiant men and women lost their lives, saving those of others. The 60 horrific hours generated contradictory impulses; a feeling of being wounded, yet stronger; of being united, yet without a glue; of anger without focus.

On the first anniversary of 26/11, Idea Cellular initiated the movement titled the ?Talk for India Hour?. An advance nationwide campaign publicized the hour. Approximately 5.5 crore Idea subscribers were made aware, that for every call they made between 8.36 p.m. and 9.36 p.m. that evening, the nett revenue generated would be handed over by Idea Cellular to the cause of protective gear for police personnel.

At its culmination, approximately Rs. 1.25 crore was generated as revenue from subscriber calls. Idea Cellular doubled the amount, and contributed a total sum of Rs. 2.50 crores. This cheque of Rs. 2.50 crore, for the Prime Minister?s National Defence Fund, was handed over to Mr. P. Chidambaram, Hon?ble Home Minister by Mr. Sanjeev Aga, Managing Director, Idea Cellular, at an austere ceremony in the national capital.

Said Mr. Sanjeev Aga, Managing Director, Idea Cellular, ?Beyond mere money and words, the question we asked was what extra we could do to convert raw emotion into a force multiplier. In our case, our huge 5.5 crore subscriber base, straddling all cross-sections of society provided the inspiration. It is the Idea family?s salute to our much maligned, over-worked, under-equipped Indian police force, saying that as you transform to take on our enemies, we are solidly behind you.?

Added Mr. Aga ?The acknowledgement by the Hon?ble Home Minister is a huge encouragement.?

In early November, the ?Talk for India? campaign was triggered by a TVC featuring IDEA Brand Ambassador, Abhishek Bachchan, who urged citizens to participate in the campaign. The campaign was supported on Television, Radio, outdoor and digital media. To mobilize a large number of people, IDEA activated groups on social networking sites, besides various ground activation programs, in a 360 degree approach.

IDEA organized Memorials and Candle Light vigils in 32 Indian cities across 15 states, on November 26th, 2009. Over 110,000 citizens paid tribute to the victims of terror attacks, and the valiant men and women who lost their lives to ensure the safety of Indians. People from all walks of life stepped out and expressed solidarity for the cause, by lighting candles and expressing themselves by writing messages, and through the medium of art.

MUMBAI: In celebration of 60 years of Indian Republic, IBN7 - India?s Channel of Impact along with Bajaj Allianz - India‘s leading private insurance company, present ?IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols? - an initiative in partnership with Dainik Bhaskar that will recognize, celebrate and honour those achievers with disabilities who have soared beyond conventional barriers to realise their chosen dreams.

IBN7 in its continuing endeavor to present positive journalism will showcase 20 truly inspiring individuals, who have overcome debilitating physical challenges through super human efforts to achieve acceptance and success.

The ?IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols? is a first of its kind initiative by any media organization in the country to pay tribute to the triumph of the human spirit over physical challenges and constraints, in achieving greatness.

These are life transforming stories of people with disabilities who never bowed down to their circumstances or gave up hope but walked on fighting, against all odds, with sheer grit and will power as their weapons, and eventually emerging victorious.

?IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols? are people who lead and inspire by example and make us better human beings, as we learn to view life in an appreciative paradigm and awaken the spirit of self belief in us.

The IBN7 editorial team, through its extensive reporter network in the country, has identified 20 ?Super Idols? whose work can be classified under one of the following eight categories: Sports; Business and Employment; Rehabilitation; Entertainment; Education; National Service; Idol Makers (in Disabled and Not Disabled category) and Lifetime Achievement. Thus, the awards will not just honour the differently abled achievers, but will also recognize and laud the efforts of those individuals who have been working with the differently abled to ensure equal rights and opportunities for them as well as enable their integration into the mainstream.

These ?IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols? will be honoured by IBN7 in an awards ceremony in Mumbai on January 19, 2010.

IBN7 will showcase the stories of these Idols under various categories in special ? hr shows that will be telecast every Sunday 10:00 PM, from 3rd Jan ? 24th Jan, 2010. Also, IBN7 will conduct a panel discussion along with different NGOs on the facilities available for the differently abled, the hurdles, empowering the disabled, their contribution to the country etc on 23rd January, Saturday@ 8 PM. The grand finale will be telecast on 26th January, Tuesday@ 7:30 PM.

Speaking on the initiative, Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 said, ?The significant contributions of the differently abled to our society and our nation need to acknowledged and applauded. Through this initiative, IBN7 aims to recognize these inspirational brave hearts who have never let their disability become their inability to give their best. This initiative also appreciates the contributions of those selfless individuals who have fought for the rights of their differently abled brethren and proved to be the wind beneath their wings.?

Speaking on the occasion, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-chief, IBN18 said, ??IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols? is an initiative that will acknowledge and felicitate the individuals who have excelled in their career by overcoming the challenges of their lives. We at IBN18 Network salute the spirit and courage shown by these individuals and hope to bring forth more such talents by providing them a unique platform like Super Idols that will help them to set an example for others to follow.?

These Super Idols have proved to the world by their performance in various fields that one doesn?t need sight to have a vision, one doesn?t need a voice to express, and one doesn?t need to have legs to stand up against all odds and that their disability is not their inability to perform any task. So join us as we applaud these super achievers, the new Super Idols of India.

Visit www.ibn7superidols.com to know more.

MUMBAI: Zee TV is leaving no stone unturned in promoting Lux Dance India Dance, the No. 1 reality show on Indian television today. In a bid to engage the younger demographics from amongst the audience, Zee TV has launched two new applications on the popular networking website Facebook and has a strong presence on Youtube. (http://www.youtube.com/user/danceindiadance). If the number of hits are anything to go by, the Lux Dance India Dance channel on Youtube has already received close to 40 Lakh hits in just 2 weeks, making it the No. 1 viewed channel on Youtube in India and the 12th most viewed channel globally. The clip featuring one of the contestants Dharmesh by itself has got over 50000 hits and Nikitasha Marwah?s audition clip has received over 11000 views in just a couple of days.

Apart from the official sites www.zeetv.com, www.didstep2.com and the Facebook applications (http://apps.facebook.com/danceindiadance/), Lux Dance India Dance is currently engaging an ever-expanding online viewer base on YouTube. The YouTube users now have access to a wide range of show promos and clips of performances from the show. They can subscribe to the community / channel whereby updates will be automatically sent to them.

Putting to rest any doubts that the spectacular opening of Zee TV?s Lux Dance India Dance at an average of 4.4 TVR was a mere flash in the pan, the show has climbed the ladder of TRP?s in the second week with an average rating of 4.7 TVR. At 4.7 TVR, the show?s ratings towered over those of the finale of Colors? Big Boss (3.6 TVR) and Sony?s Dance Premiere League (2.1 TVR).

Akash Chawla, Marketing Head- Zee TV said, ?We have had a fantastic opening to Lux Dance India Dance and these were just the audition episodes we?ve telecast so far. We expect the talent we?ve scouted to generate mass hysteria when the gala episodes begin to air starting 8th January. In any case, we are extremely pleased to see that the very opening of the show has left the final? of the competing reality shows far behind.?

MUMBAI: NDTV Profit in association with Car India and Bike India will present the fifth year of ?Car India & Bike India Awards? at New Delhi on January 06, 2010. The award will honour the year?s best cars, bikes and the people behind them in the automobile sector.

Initiated in the year 2006, the Car India & Bike India Awards have emerged as the most credible automobile industry awards. Since its foundation, it has created a niche for itself in the automobile industry & with the automobile lovers.

The Car & Bike Awards 2010 will give a chance to its viewers to vote for their favourite car and bike nominees and stand a chance to ride the year?s hottest wheels home. The nominees for CNB Viewers? Choice Two Wheeler are Suzuki GS150, TVS Apache RTR180, Hero Honda Karizma ZMR, Bajaj Discover DTS-Si, Royal Enfield Classic 500; and the nominees for CNB Viewers‘ Choice Car are Honda Jazz, Fiat Linea, Skoda Laura, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai i20, Tata Indigo Manza, Maruti Ritz, Mahindra Xylo.

Speaking on the occasion, Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, Editor-Auto, NDTV Group said, ?The year 2009 has witnessed a global slowdown in automobile sales but in India we had a relatively promising year in the automobile industry with new launches?the highlight being the exclusive launch of Tata Nano which reaffirmed India?s place on the global map. NDTV Profit Car & Bike Awards has proved to be a benchmark for auto excellence in India and this year again we salute the best of the best. These awards credibly honour the best of auto, while keeping cognizance of reflecting the choices and sentiments of customers, manufacturers and the auto lovers alike.?

The Car & Bike Awards places a lot of emphasis on green technology by rewarding environmentally friendly work done by the industry with the Green Award. It also recognizes Marketing and PR efforts of the players which contribute to the product‘s success with the CNB-AAA Awards. The categories in this include Best PR & Communications Team (Nominees: Royal Enfield; Bajaj Auto; General Motors; M&M), Best Integrated Campaign 4-Wheeler (Nominees: Hyundai i20; Maruti; General Motors; Volkswagen; Honda Jazz), Best Integrated Campaign 2-Wheeler (Nominees: Bajaj Auto; Mahindra Two Wheelers; Royal Enfield) and Best Brand Ambassador.

To ensure a foolproof and fair selection process, the eminent jurors assess and award each nominee in complete isolation to other jurors. Each car and bike nominated are tried and tested by the jury along with a detailed research on each nominee‘s specifications, its market performance and its immediate competition. The process is monitored by our auditors Mazars who then tabulate and document all votes by the jurors. The results will only be revealed as the winner envelopes are opened on Awards Night on the 6th of January 2010.

The winners of this year?s awards will be selected by an eminent jury consisting of an expert panel of auto aficionado: Gul Panag, Talented actress & a complete cruiser motorcycle fanatic, Aspi Bhathena, Editor, Car India & Bike India; Bunny Punia,
Deputy Editor, Car India & Bike India Rayomand Banajee, racing driver & Nawaz Sandhu, ace lady rallyist and Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, Editor-Auto, NDTV.

The awards categories for NDTV Profit Car & Bike Awards 2010 are:

TWO WHEELERS
1. Motorcycle up to 125cc
2. Motorcycle up to 160cc
3. Motorcycle up to 200cc
4. Motorcycle up to 250cc
5. Motorcycle above 250cc
6. Scooter of the Year
7. Import Two Wheeler of the Year
8. CNB Viewers? Choice Two Wheeler
9. Two Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year
10. Two Wheeler of the Year

CARS
11. Micro Car of the Year
12. Small Car of the Year
13. Mid-size Car of the Year
14. Executive Car of the Year
15. Entry Premium Car of the Year
16. Premium Car of the Year
17. Import Car of the Year
18. MUV/SUV of the Year
19. Premium SUV of the Year
20. CNB Viewers‘ Choice Car
21. Car Manufacturer of the Year
22. Car of the Year

GENERAL AWARDS
23. Automotive Product of the Year
24. Design of the Year
25. Automotive Technology of the Year
26. Ista Hotels Green Award
27. Automotive Man of the Year

CNB-AAA AWARDS
28. Best Brand Ambassador
29. Best Integrated Campaign 2-Wheeler
30. Best Integrated Campaign 4-Wheeler
31. Best PR & Communications Team

NEW DELHI: The eminent poet-lyricist-director Gulzar, who recently brought international fame with the song ‘Jai Ho‘ tuned by AR Rahman, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Panjabi University in Patiala.

The honour was conferred on the poet by Punjab Governor Gen. SF Rodrigues in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh earlier this week.

Gulzar said he was touched by the gesture and felt happy that it had come from his home stage, Punjab.

Born Sampooran Singh Kalra in Deena in the Jhelum District in what is now Pakistan, he came to Delhi after the partition during independence as a poet. He joined Bimal Roy Productions in 1961 and got his first break as a lyricist writing for Bimal Roy‘s Bandini (1963). The success of this film made him Bimalda‘s full-time assistant and got him writing for films by acclaimed directors likeHrishikesh Mukherjee and Asit Sen. The films he has written include Anand (1971), Guddi (1971), Bawarchi (1972), and Namak Haraam (1973) for Mukherjee; and Do Dooni Chaar (1968), Khamoshi (1969), and Safar (1970) for Sen.

Gulzar made his directorial debut with Mere Apne (1971). Based on Tapan Sinha‘s "Apanjan," the film looks at an old woman (played by Meena Kumari) caught between two street gangs of unemployed and frustrated youths. He then went on to make Parichay (1972) (loosely based on The Sound of Music (1965) and Koshish (1972) (based on the Happiness of Us Alone), which looks at the trials and tribulations of a deaf and dumb couple (played by Jaya Bhaduri and Sanjeev Kumar). Sanjeev also acted in his films Mausam (1975), Angoor (1982), Namkeen (1982), and the classic film Aandhi (1975), which had been banned for a while as it was loosely taken from the life of Mrs Indira Gandhi. Some films with other actors included ‘Achanak‘ (1973), Khushboo (1975), and Kinara (1977), ‘Lekin‘ (1990), ‘Maachis‘ (1996), and ‘Hu Tu Tu‘ (1999). He also wrote the songs for his own films, apart from those for others.

He also made the television series Mirza Ghalib (1988). Gulzar has also directed documentaries on Amjad Khan and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi as well as "Shaira," a film based on Meena Kumari. He has also turned his creativity into other channels--he has written screenplays for films like Masoom (1983) and Rudaali(1993), and has written the lyrics for films like Dil Se (1998) and Saathiya (2002).