MUMBAI: NDTV today announced the winners of their fourth Indian of the Year at an award ceremony

graced by Home Minister, Mr. P Chidambaram as Guest of Honour and attended by celebrities and luminaries from all walks of life, including Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Laloo Prasad Yadav, Sheila Dixit, Omar Abdullah, L.K. Advani, Praful Patel, Kavita Karkare and Sushma Swaraj amongst others.

?The Mumbai Bravehearts?, who fought to save the lives of hundreds of innocent people in the recent terror attacks, were awarded the NDTV Indian of the Year 2008. The following were honored by this award: ASI Tukaram G. Omble, ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, Encounter Specialist Vijay Salaskar, ACP Ashok Kamte, Hawaldar Gajendra Singh, Announcer CST Vishnu Zende, Ticket Collector Sushil Kumar Sharma, NSG Director General J. K. Dutta along with his NSG commandos and Management & Staff of Hotel Oberoi, Hotel Trident and Hotel Taj.

Commencing this special evening, Dr. Prannoy Roy Chairman, NDTV said, ?India is currently hit by terrible slowdown and government seems to be in a denial mode. Government needs to take immediate and big steps to revive the economic growth. ? Further dedicating the awards night to recent Mumbai attacks, he added, ? Terrorist want to destroy peace and are waiting for us to retaliate. The only way to defeat their purpose is by spreading message of peace and defeating terrorism by peace in this land of Gandhi".

Receiving the Indian of the Year award for his Martyr son, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan?s father said, ?Our loss, beacause Sandeep was the only child, is no greater than anyone else‘s who loses a child. So why say I have lost my only child. My son?s soul would be very happy if 50% of J& K people can be rehabilitated. I have complete faith in Indian forces to protect us and strongly disagree with those who doubt the competency of our forces.?

Congratulating NDTV for turning 20 this year , P Chidambaram, the Union Home Minister and Chief Guest at NDTV Indian of the year 2008 said, ?Our main objective at present should be to improve our level of preparedness and determination to respond swiftly against terrorism. I request the people of our country, including government, to change their attitude to fight against any odd and at the same time be a civilized society.? Commenting further on the recent Satyam episode, Chidambaram said, ?Satyam is a case of fraud and not a collapse unlike what has happened in other countries. No Bank or NBFC has collapsed in India. Infact PSU Banks will be hiring 60,000 new recruits in the coming fiscal year and we will see a 7% growth ?.

Actor, Director & Producer Aamir Khan on being conferred with the title of Entertainer of the year award said, ?I want to take this opportunity to thank NDTV for this recognition and my audience for voting for me and encouraging me to give my best to my work over the years. It has been a complete team effort and I am fortunate to have worked with some of the best directors in the Industry?. In lieu of the upcoming General Elections, Aamir said, ?I request our politicians to act responsibly and field candidates with a clean track record and intelligence to govern the country ?

Winning The Leader of the Year Award, Sheila Dixit, serving her third continuous term as Delhi?s Chief Minister commented on her plans as a Chief Minister ? My next important goal is successful Commonwealth games and to take that opportunity to transform Delhi into a world class city to live in?.

On receiving a special recognition for lifetime achievement at the award ceremony L K Advani, said, ?We as politicians have greater responsibility in shaping the country?s future as we are always under sharp scrutiny. The country is facing terrible time but as a nation we should be optimistic and believe in ourselves to overcome these challenges.?

Deepak Parekh on Winning the Businessman of the Year award was asked about his task ahead for Satyam. He said, ?Large sums of money have disappeared from Satyam accounts and my team and I have a huge task of finding the truth?.

The winners of ‘NDTV Indian of the Year 2008‘ were chosen through a rigorous, multi-layered process guided by an experienced jury that comprised of Shashi Tharoor (well-known author and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations), Rahul Bajaj (Chairman, Bajaj Auto) , Harsha Bhogle (renowned cricket commenter), Fali S. Nariman (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India), Anu Aga (former Executive Chairperson of Thermax Group and social activist) and William Dalrymple (internationally acclaimed writer and historian).

Catch the telecast of ?NDTV Indian of The Year 2008? on 26th January 2009 at 7:30pm on NDTV 24x7.

MUMBAI: Inundated with calls from people across the country looking for a credible forum for redressal of their disputes, STAR Plus today announced a helpline for Aap Ki Kachehri Kiran Ke Saath. Aap Ki Kachehri Helpline number is 022-66157735. This helpline will provide an opportunity to people to put their cases across to the AKK panel for due-dilligence and an eventual resolution to their conflicts by Kiran Bedi. This is the first time on Indian television where a ‘lok-adalat‘ forum has been created for the masses. AKK‘s success among viewers, a recent extension of 52 episodes and this helpline speaks volumes about the show‘s popularity and potential for social transformation.

With this initiative, the Aap Ki Kachehri Helpline will allow applicants from all across India to register their issues which then can be further evaluated by the Aap Ki Kachehri panel of NGOs, Big Synergy team, STAR Plus and Kiran Bedi. The cases that qualify will be brought live on the television screen with Kiran Bedi acting as an unbiased mediator to solve long-pending family disputes. An unprecedented program on a Hindi GEC, AKK - KKS is on of the top rated shows across all channels.

Tune in to STAR Plus Monday to Thursday @ 10.30pm to watch India‘s very own ‘lok-adalat‘ in Aap Ki Kachehri Kiran Ke Saath.

MUMBAI: The stage is set for the best in Indian Business to come together and honour the best minds in India Inc with India Business Leader Awards presented by Accenture & CNBC-TV18, India‘s No.1 business medium.

The year 2008 has been a difficult year for business across the world. But it is in the trying times that the best minds show their brightest side. The year would be remembered as the one that exposed the flaws in corporate affairs but also highlighted the best business leaders who steered their companies through the most difficult times and situations.

Speaking about the awards, Mr. Ajay Chacko, Director, TV18, Business Media said, "India Business Leader Awards are an unparalleled tribute to the excellence in business in India. The awards have become in institution by itself and the winners epitomize strength, ingenuity, knowledge, foresight and who drive the growth of their businesses with vision and inspiration."

The awards will be presented for excellence for following categories:
First Generation Entrepreneur Of The Year
Most Promising Entrant Into The Big League
First Generation Entrepreneur Of The Year
Most Promising Entrant Into The Big League
Indian Global Achiever
Taking India Abroad! (Brand India)
Social Enterprise Of The Year
Outstanding Contribution To The Cause Of Indian Business
Lifetime Achievement Award
CNBC-TV18‘S Entertainment Business Leader Of The Year
CNBC-TV18‘S Sport Business Leader Of The Year
CNBC-TV18‘ Outstanding Woman Business Leader Of The Year
CNBC-TV18‘S Outstanding Business Leader Of The Year
CNBC-TV18‘S Outstanding Company Of The Year
The India Business Leader Of The Year
India Innovator Of The Year
The India Corporate Citizen Of The Year
The Talent Management Award

MUMBAI: Every bit, every special moment of the glamorous evening of BIGNite with the who‘s who of Bollywood, fashion and lifestyle at the red carpet premiere of the award winning film, ‘Slumdog Millionaire‘ will be captured on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Imax Big Cinemas, Wadala! ZoOm India‘s hottest destination for Bollywood content will capture and bring to viewers the Exclusive TV coverage of the special premiere of ‘Slum Dog Millionaire‘.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. MK Anand, Business Head, ZoOm, said, ‘Whether it is a special Red carpet or film premiere, ZoOm has always been in the forefront in capturing every bit of Bollywood, right from exclusive bytes, special interviews with celebrities to interesting star biographies and stories of their stardom. We are proud to bring our viewers this exclusive coverage of the premiere of the much-awaited and award winning movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire‘ which has several Bollywood stars contributing to its success."

ZoOM has always covered Bollywood stars in all their glitz and glamour, getting up close and personal with them. With BIGNite, ZoOm is all geared up to witness the presence of the heavyweights of the entertainment industry and capture all right from exclusive interviews with the casts and crew, exclusive peek-a-boos, never seen before reactions and comments and lots more.

Adding up to the glamour quotient, ZoOm has organised a special contest for its audience, ‘Slumdog Millionaire Contest‘ starting Monday, 19th January till 31st January, 2009. Lucky winners get to take home movie tickets and exclusive movie merchandise of Slumdog Millionaire.

Slumdog Millionaire is a story based on the life of an impoverished Indian teenager Jamal Malik, who is a contestant of the Hindi version of the game show, "Who wants to be A Millionaire?" Though he wins, he is suspected of cheating. Highly acclaimed worldwide and eagerly awaited for film release in India, the film was nominated for 4 Golden Globe awards and won all including the Best Film and the Best Original score by A. R. Rehman. Bollywood Star, Anil Kapoor has also earned great reviews from critics around the world for his part in the film.

With BIGNite ZoOm reiterates its commitment to provide non-stop entertainment, fun, excitement and all that is Bollywood every hour, every day, every week!

MUMBAI: B4U Music, the leading Asian channel in the UK, will be the official sponsor of The Asian Bride Show 2009 in London this weekend, it was announced today.

B4U Music provides a fusion of Asian and British entertainment to a large audience. The channel therefore has a strong connection with the Asian Bride Show as both organizations carefully reflect a style and audience influenced by the East meets West culture. The network is constantly supporting and seeking involvement in major events in the Asian entertainment and lifestyle sectors.

The Asian Bride Show 2009, which is brought to you by The Asian Woman Group of magazines, is set to be the largest, most enlightening Asian bridal event in the UK. This year the event will take place at the country‘s leading venue for entertainment; the Wembley Stadium. The prominent location reflects the popularity of the event, and the substantial success it has in inspiring brides with innovative ideas for the biggest day of their lives.

With the involvement of major companies all around the world, there will be more than 200 extravagant stands, fashion shows and the opportunity to network and receive advice from industry professionals.

The event will be taking place at Wembley Stadium London on the 24th January and on the 25th January.

Covering two major cities in the UK, The Asian Bride Show will also be held at The Sheridan Suite Manchester on the 31st January from and on the 1st February.

B4U Network is constantly supporting and seeking involvement in major events in the Asian entertainment and lifestyle sectors .Being a official sponsor B4U Music will be a main exhibitor at the event providing visitors with information and goodie bags.

"We are extremely honoured to be associated with such a prestigious show and certain that it will be an innovative and enjoyable event "said Sunil Rohra, Global CEO of B4U Network.

MUMBAI: ESPN STAR Sports, Asia‘s leading sports broadcaster, will showcase live & exclusive action from Australian Open 2009. Sania Mirza advances into a 2nd round clash with Russian tenth seed Nadia Petrova in the women‘s single section of the Australian Open tomorrow at 5:30 am IST at the Margaret Court Arena.

Sania Mirza breezed into the second round of Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-4 win over world number 61 Poland‘s Marta Domachowska at Melbourne Park.

Nadia Petrova overcame a late challenge in her opening round match from Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova to win 6-3, 7-6 (3). Nadia and Sania are levelled at 1-1 with the 26-year-old Russian winning in their previous meeting at the Wimbledon last year. Sania, playing her first singles match of the season after a long injury-lay off, was happy with her comeback match.