MUMBAI: NASSCOM, the apex body of the Indian IT industry and CNBC-TV18, India‘s No.1 Business Channel announced the winners of the most distinguished honours for excellence in IT application - ‘IT User Awards 2009‘ in Mumbai today. The ‘IT User Awards‘, India‘s first of its kind initiative, are conferred on the organisations that have dedicated resources, capital, time and research to IT and its implementation.

The award ceremony saw attendance by luminaries like Som Mittal, President, NASSCOM, Firoze Vandrevala, CMD, HIRCO and Madhabi Puri Buch, MD & CEO, ICICI Securities among others.

The primary objective of the awards is to seek and recognize companies that have used IT to create strategic advantage, optimize costs, develop synergies across businesses, communicate in real time and enhance customer service standards. The awards will pay tribute to the success of these organizations and also for their contribution to business community and our society at large.

‘IT User Awards‘ pioneered by CNBC-TV18, undisputed leader in business and NASSCOM, the premier trade body and voice of the software and services industry in India, provides a platform that encourages the adoption of IT by organisations across the sectors.

The definitive awards were presented to companies in various verticals including Auto, Logistics, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Banking, Finance, Insurance, and Telecom among others. In addition to this Affirmative action of states on e-governance also took a centre stage during these definitive awards.

Speaking at the awards, Som Mittal, President, NASSCOM said, "Over the last several years, Indian companies have leveraged technology. Through these awards, we aim to acknowledge their hard work. IT is the main driver in all sectors Corporate, Private Sectors and also now SMEs and Govt. are adopting it. Even in the downturn, the IT sector saw a 15-16 % growth and we expect many new solutions and businesses to be thriving. Oppurtunity is not about meeting markets but finding new markets; if the Telecom sector can do it, the IT sector can do it as well."

Mr. Suresh Venkat, Technology Editor, CNBC-TV18 said, "Indian companies have increased their efficiency by deploying information technology for synergizing operations and functional automations. Through ‘IT User Awards‘ we aim to acknowledge the hard work of the various sectors that have moved to using IT for their work and also to motivate others to join them".

MUMBAI: Vh1, India?s premier international music and lifestyle channel, along with ?Tuborg Fun Starter Nights Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle? brings to you the 5th edition of ?Hip Hop Hustle? with the ?Shady Records Official Deejay? - DJ Green Lantern! This multifaceted rapper will be performing LIVE at the ?Tuborg Fun Starter Nights presents Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle? concerts in Mumbai on 9th December at Blue Frog, 11th December at Stone water grill in Pune and 12th December at Manre in Delhi.

DJ Green Lantern originally know as James D‘Agostino, is an American DJ and hip hop musician born in Rochester, New York. This hustler has managed to break several records with his smashing hits like ?Invasion? and his series of ?mixed tapes?. Furthering the entire Shady camp, DJ Green Lantern also produced chart busters like ?The Red Light District?, and ?Immortal Techniques?. Apart from Green being Eminem?s Official DJ, he has also partnered artists like Rihana, 50 Cent, Akon, Jay Z? and Busta Rhymes. Producer for Eminem?s Shady Records & Def Jam Records, DJ Green Lantern is all set to deliver a performance that will make a mark in the Indian music industry as we know it! 

?Tuborg Fun Starter Nights? is synonymous with music globally. Extending that to India, it has also taken various such initiatives in partnership with Vh1 to add to the entertainment and make life for all those hip hop lovers just a little more exciting!

Says DJ Green Lantern, ?It feels really good to be performing in front of a whole new audience! This will be my first performance in India and I?m really excited about it. People in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi should get ready for The Evil Genius DJ Green Lantern India Invasion.?

Speaking on the initiative Ferzad Palia, Associate General Manager, Vh1 India says, ?In the past, Hip Hop Hustle has always been a hit with our viewers. This time, with Tuborg Fun Starter Nights on board with Vh1, we?re aiming even bigger with a 3-event association. The first of the 3 events for this year with DJ Green Lantern will be a spectacular treat for our audiences. Also in the months to come, watch out for loads more fun!?

Adds, Pradeep Gidwani, Tuborg, ?It?s an exciting time for Tuborg, the association with Vh1?s Hip-Hop Hustle is a brilliant way of reaching out to our target audience. With the immensely talented artist DJ Green Lantern playing, this will be a performance to watch out for.?

Vh1 Hip hop hustle is presented in India by Tuborg - Fun Starter Nights. ?Hip Hop Hustle? is Vh1 & Tuborg‘s rehabilitated commitment to bring the best of Hip Hop talent to India. DJ Green Lantern will bring in the fifth year of ?Hip Hop Hustle?, which has earlier brought in artists like Flipsyde, Mobb Deep, Chamillionaire and Kardinal Offishall in the last few years.

MUMBAI: ET NOW, India‘s leading business news channel from the Times Global Broadcasting Company Ltd. and StarMine?, a Thomson Reuters company present the ‘ET NOW | StarMine Analyst Awards 2009‘.

The Awards identify top equity analysts across 15 regions internationally and felicitate analysts across three distinct parameters: returns on buy/sell recommendations (Stock Picking), accuracy of earnings estimate (Earnings Estimators) and brokerage firms whose analysts win the most analyst awards (Best Brokerage).

ET NOW - India Inc‘s official TV channel, is the first business news channel in India to jointly present these highly prestigious and coveted global awards for the analyst fraternity. The Awards ceremony will be attended by analysts representing top national and international firms, among other leading industry stalwarts.

Since its launch earlier this year, ET NOW has redefined the business news landscape by delivering insightful and actionable content to its viewers. The channel offers an exhaustive view on markets during trading hours with a comprehensive round-up on India Inc. through the day.

The Awards ceremony is scheduled to be telecast exclusively on ET NOW on the 12th of December, with interviews from the event interspersed through the week.
 

MUMBAI: Omar Qureshi, the famous movies critic shares his take on the movies slated for release this week. The much hyped ?Paa?, which has successfully attracted everyone?s attention is a much-awaited release especially for its subject and father-son role reversal. The entire story of ?Paa? revolves around a 13-year-old boy, Auro (played by Amitabh Bachchan), who is inflicted with an extremely rare and progressive genetic defect. He suffers from a progeria-like syndrome, which causes accelerated ageing. Although emotionally and mentally Auro is a 13 year old boy in every aspect, his outward appearance makes him look 5 times older. But despite this condition, he is a very happy child, who is very attached with his family. Abhishek Bachchan plays paa and Vidya Balan is Maa of Auro.

Next is ?Radio? with India?s favorite nasal voice singer, Himesh Reshammiya. Written and directed by Ishan Trivedi, the film stars Himesh Reshammiya, Shenaz Treasuryvala, Sonal Sehgal, Paresh Rawal, Zakir Hussain and Rajesh Khattar. The music of the film with its catchy romantic tunes is composed by Himesh Reshammiya. The story revolves around Vivan (Himesh Reshammiya) a successful RJ on a popular radio channel in the city of Mumbai. He has acquired everything in life but his marriage with Pooja (Sonal Sehgal) is on the rocks. Naturally the husband-wife want to go their separate ways and the reasons cited are lack of compatibility between the two. In their hearts Vivan and Pooja want to refrain from taking up such a decision but the fast pace of life and busy schedules interfere with their emotional balance. Who will eventually reign in his heart? Will he take the first step to be with Shanaya (Shenaz Treasurywala)

Next to be reviewed is ?Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure?, directed by Klay Hall has Tinker Bell who is chosen to make the fall scepter for the autumn celebration, a very special task that will help the fairies create the all-important fairy dust. While building the scepter, the hot-headed Tinker Bell ends up breaking the magical moonstone that helps to create fairy dust, and she blames it on her friend Terence.

So tune in to ?The ZoOm Review Show? find out which movie definitely is worth a watch this weekend on Friday, December 4, 2009, 7:30pm only on ZoOm

MUMBAI: LINOpinion ? The Lowe Lintas? public relations division, has been appointed by Religare Enterprises Limited (REL) as its communications partner in India. LINOPINION will be responsible for continuing to establish Religare as a globally trusted brand in the financial services domain.

Religare is one of the leading integrated financial services groups in India and across multiple international locations. It has a client base of 1 million and growing, across the retail, wealth and Institutional spectrums. Recent growth and established businesses are testimony to Religare?s commitment towards becoming the Investment Gateway of India and has also become a diversified financial services conglomerate.

On the engagement of LINOPINION, Mr. Subhrangshu Neogi, Director, Brand and Corporate Communications, REL says, ?Several top Indian agencies were invited to pitch and we graded them on various parameters including understanding of the sector, strength and credibility. LINOpinion were the clear winners. Given the diverse nature of Religare?s business it was crucial to select an agency which has both depth and width to handle the full suite of our products and services.?

Says Mr. Ameer Ismail, Executive Director, LINOpinion ?LINOpinion is delighted to be working with Religare in India. It is our mandate to continue to build awareness of one of India?s most dynamic financial companies and we are confident of delivering the best. We hope our relationship with Religare proves to be a longstanding one.?

It may be recalled that last month Religare had selected Ogilvy as its communication and brand partner. Ogilvy?s creative responsibilities will look after all companies that fall under the Religare umbrella including Religare Voyages, Religare Technova and Religare Macquarie. However, the healthcare business like SRL Diagnostics and Religare Wellness will continue to be looked after by Arms Communications.

Also, to support its global ambitions and forays, Religare in July signed London-based Financial Dynamics (FD) to initiate its PR activities in the UK. FD will initially be responsible for building the Religare brand with the financial media in London, although the mandate could later be extended to other geographies.

MUMBAI: Have you ever floated with your thoughts in thin air?!?.....or done rib tickling deeds under hypnosis!?! ...So here‘s your chance to let your mind play the perfect slave!!! UTV World Movies in association with International Stand up Comedy brings the well renowned comedy hypnotist Alan Bates to India for the very FIRST TIME. Witness Mumbai under the hypnotic spells of Alan Bates on his show. December 4th at St. Andrew‘s Auditorium, Bandra & December 5th 2009 at Sophia Bhabha Hall, Breach Candy

With his piercing blue eyes, soothing voice and sudden hand movements, Alan Bates is surly to leave his audiences in India spell bound. International Comedy Hypnotist Alan Bates has been performing live for over 20 years. His hypnotism techniques are nothing less than mind numbing and jaw dropping. India will witness something it has never experienced before. Alan Bates has swirled the world with his spell binding skills of hypnotism and now its time for India, where he is all set to leave a remarkable impression on his audience. This man can make you do things which you would have never even imagined in your wildest dreams and sway you away with his magical spell. Alan is also well known for utilizing his incredible art for some noble cause too. He has helped thousands of people quit smoking through his fine art of hypnotism. Alan is also a huge success on the University and Theatre circuit throughout UK.

UTV World Movies has always believed in creating a unique experience for its audience. Taking forward with its previous slate of one of a kind on- ground activities like Celebrate France, Celebrate Germany, music and movie nights & theatrical premieres, UTV World Movies now takes a leap further by introducing to Indian Audiences to World‘s greatest comedy hypnotist-Alan Bates. With this initiative the channel just adds another feather to its already well decorated hat of 360 degree approach for its on-ground activities. UTV World Movies also has an excellent and acclaimed line up on-air with 650 titles in its library from across 40 cities.