Convergence India has over the years been the destination where cutting edge technologies have been unveiled. New technology in communications are on show.

Exhibitions India presents the "10th Convergence India 2002" from 6 - 8 March at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The event will be co-organised by among others Ministry of Communication Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Information Technology, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce,.Global VSAT Forum. The event has the support of National Association of Broadcaster, International Broadcasting Convention, The French Agency for International Business Development and Swiss Multimedia Association Global suppliers of equipment and services will converge with various communications solutions.

The event aims at providing organisations and individuals with opportunities to forge alliances with manufacturers, application developers, integrators, reseller and users. It has positioned itself as the nroadband show for New Generation Networks The buyers range from carrier class capacity networks to the infrastructure, from established corporates to new entrepreneurs. The event aims to be the ideal venue for one stop shopping for products, services and partners.

The exhibition will have several categories for the information, communications and entertainment sectors. The Communications arcade will have among other things application development, Bandwidth exchange services, Broadband equipment and services, Multimedia applications, Satellite transmission services, Video conferencing and Wireless & satellite networking.

There will also be a wireless wing which will include CDMA , GSM, Internet transmission via satellite, Ka-band, Ku-band systems, Real time multimedia distribution Satellite telephony networks. The Broadcast and Cable gallery will have adjacent channel devices, Aerials, Antennas, Broadband amplifiers, Broadcasters, Channels, Content and software, Cable modems, Cable television programming Conditional access software , DTH systems Film / TV / Video production Interactive TV Pay TV systems, Satellite communication products and Television broadcast. There will also be a conference with the theme ‘Next generation convergent comunications‘. This will consist of two tracks. Some topics that will be discussed are

1. Converged networks: "the future"

2. Governing convergence

3. Building for information: Plan your network

4. Managing bandwidth

5. Bandwidth: the options

6. Broadband Internet

7. Wireless broadband At the Internet Cafe the attendees can explore the net. At the Media Center the daily press meets and briefings will be held. For more program and sponsorship details visit www.exhibitionsindia.org/10conver.html

The Hindi entertainment television sweepstakes is hotting up and Sahara TV aims to be very much there on the viewerscope. After November‘s launch of four new shows, the new year is going to see more offerings from the Sahara stable. Next month will see the launch of Jayate (winner), a show which is a reversal of its celebrated Haqeeqat (reality) in that it focuses on good cops and the sacrifices they make in the line of duty. Haqeeqat, which was introduced in June, has had quite an impact. Hosted by film director Mahesh Bhatt the programme was a breath of fresh air in an environment dominated by likeminded soap opera‘s. It dealt with true incidents of human rights violation by lawmakers. It was produced by Anuradha Prasad?s BAG Films, for Sahara India Media Communications Ltd (SIMCL) and directed by Sourabh Narang. Jayate will be followed by Fateh (victory) which trains its guns on war heroes.

Next up on the channel‘s new offerings list is Har Mode Pe (at every turn), a daily soap. Sahara TV vice-president (publicity, promotions & PR) Priya Raj says there is even more coming from the Sahara cupboard but the shows are still being conceptualised. They run the gamut of genres and should provide telly buffs with plenty of food for thought, Raj promises.

Meanwhile, the channel claims that two serials it launched in November Apnapan and Zindagi? Teri Meri Kahani have drawn an excellent response. Both centre on the family and the channel claims that the immense popularity of these two programmes has helped it increase its viewership base. Apnapan shows from Monday to Friday at 1:30 pm and 11 PM Produced by SIMCL, Apnapan is directed by Chander Behl & V Menon. Veteran film actors like Kiran Kumar, Pramod Mautho, Shagufta Ali star.

Zindagi? Teri Meri Kahani airs every Friday at 10:30 PM It shows how today‘s society is more individualistic in nature. So the need for self identity is important. The story deals with marital discord. Produced by AV Telefilms, Zindagi? Teri Meri Kahani stars veteran actor Arun Govil who played Ram in Ramanand Sagar‘s Ramayana. Other stars include Rohini Hattangadi, Priya Tendulkar, Savita Prahune, Parmeet Sethi and Raju Samtani.