MUMBAI: Australia Network is very proud to present the exclusive direct broadcast of a concert for Sydney Festival 2010 by internationally renowned music composer A. R. Rahman. On the same night he performs his only Australian concert, Australia Network will bring A. R. Rahman‘s unique outdoor extravaganza to the small screen for fans from Fiji to Delhi to enjoy. Dubbed the ‘Mozart of Madras‘ by Time magazine earlier this year, Rahman is best-known globally for his two-time Oscar winning score for the film Slumdog Millionaire.

Rahman‘s sole Australian performance will be held on Saturday 16 January on a stage set in the beautiful parkland of Parramatta Park. Australia Network will broadcast the entire event to 44 countries. Rahman will perform with an entourage of more than 40 Indian musicians and Bollywood dancers on stage, as well as high-impact lighting displays, choreographed moving video screens and audience interaction.

The A. R. Rahman concert is a free event made possible by the generous support of the NSW Government. It promises to be a night filled with colour, dancing and the irrepressible rhythms and melodies of contemporary Indian music. Australia Network Chief Executive Bruce Dover says "The concert and broadcast celebrates Australia‘s cultural diversity and provides a musical bridge between Australia and the region".

The concert will be co-hosted by Australian cricketing legend, Matthew Hayden and ABC presenter Miriam Corowa. Hayden said of the event "I am honoured and thrilled to be a part of A. R. Rahman‘s unique outdoor extravaganza and the Sydney Festival. Rahman was born in Chennai, a city that I have come to love and a part of India that is very special to me for many reasons. I am excited that many Australians will be able enjoy what millions of people around the world have come to love and appreciate, the incredible ‘Mozart of Madras and the amazing Indian musicians and Bollywood Dancers."

Join Australia Network for this exclusive A.R. Rahman concert on: Saturday 16th January: India 15:00, Hong Kong 17:30, Pacific 21:30.

MUMBAI: Everyday there is news, but some of them impact our lives more than others. CNN-IBN returns with its leading investigative show ?30 Minutes? which strives to capture the ?real news? behind ?breaking stories?. The show goes behind-the-scenes and way beyond headlines to bring for its viewers news that is insightful and sharp. The new season of 30 Minutes has begun from 10 January, Every Sunday at 9:30 PM and 11:30 AM.

This season, ?30 Minutes? delves deeper as it focuses on human interest stories that affect society. The first episode was on Social Networking which looked at serious issues like cyber stalking and social ambushing.

The show in its previous season has managed to bring some startling revelations which have made an impact with news of the likes of MK Subba, the Congress MP from Assam, who was actually a Nepali Citizen and an escaped murder convict; Surinder Singh, the Sikh Priest who was witness to Jagdish Tytler leading a mob that killed three Sikhs in 1984 riots spoke first to 30 Minutes. The show through its astute reportage in the past has brought many incidents into light which otherwise would be lost in the day to day clutter of news like the secret Charas fields in Himachal Pradesh, the hidden insurgency wars of the North East and the untold stories of Indian Gigolos who meet clients on the internet.

Speaking on the show Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief- IBN18 Network said ?30 Minutes examines news as it happens and brings forth human interest stories and relevant details on current issues. The leading investigative show inspects the grey areas of all the burning issues and news events of our times?.

MUMBAI: It?s been an exciting joyride for our talented participants of ?Lux Dance India Dance?. After being chosen into the top 18 amongst the lakhs of the dancers across the nation and abroad, the young contestants get the lifetime opportunity to perform in front of the Superstar of the century, Amitabh Bachchan. As a special judge on the show, Big B would encourage their confidence and also share dancing tips with them.

The Indian Icon on this iconic show, would also talk about personal experiences on his soon-to-be released, ?Teen Patti?. The real fun would be to watch the Disco Dancer (GrandMaster Mithunda) & Big B sizzle together with their unique dance moves on the stage. The duo had taken the entire nation by storm with their movie ?Agnipath? and now its time we watch out for their chemistry once again on India?s no.1 reality show.

Akash Chawla, Marketing Head of Zee TV, said, ?It?s a great pleasure to have Mr. Bachchan on our show. His presence will not only motivate our contestants but also make an exciting watch for our viewers.?

The episode will be telecast on January 29th, 9.30 p.m.

MUMBAI: This week NDTV Profit brings to you Q2P, a documentary by film maker Paromita Vohra that peers through the dream of Mumbai as a future Shanghai and searches for public toilets in Bombay, watching who has to queue to pee. The toilet becomes a riddle with many answers and some of those answers are questions - about gender, about class, about caste and most of all about space, urban development and the twisted myth of the global metropolis.

Q2P highlights the unavailability and conditions of public restrooms for women reflecting the state of the city, its citizens and their impressive yet disjointed efforts to move toward greater progress. Tune into NDTV Profit on this Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 10:00pm with a repeat telecast on the following Sunday at 5:00 pm only on NDTV Profit.

MUMBAI: On Your Call this week, catch HRD Minister Kapil Sibal who is determined to shake up India‘s education system despite all the hurdles. As the Right to Education Act 2009 is enacted, Kapil Sibal talks about his game plan to roll out this historical initiative. He presents his thoughts on foreign university bill; abolition of Board exams for 10th class; reservation in education; brain drain from India and other issues.

On being asked whether he considers himself as ?a man in hurry?, he says that he is trying to do what should have been done 15 years ago. He not only emphasizes the need for every child to go to school in India but also get quality education keeping in mind the nation?s interest.

Replying on the rationale behind abolition of C.B.S.E. Class X Board Exam, Kapil Sibal explains that class X board results should not decide what stream one opts for and instead should be judged on the student?s aptitude. 

On being asked by N R Narayan Murthy on enhancing autonomy of the board in higher education universities, Sibal highlights the difference between Indian Universities which have been set up quite recently compared to the US Universities established 200-300 years ago and adds that as we move along, the system in India will also allow alumni to come on board to manage these universities more efficiently.

Sibal also expresses his disappointment on the recent CAT examination fiasco where some of the aspiring students were not able to sit for the exams.

Responding to a question by Actor Aamir Khan on the need for inclusive education for children who are special and with learning disabilities, Sibal shares his concern on the void of teaching capabilities for such children and tells Aamir that in the course of the next 5 years, the government plans to lay the foundations of an integrated school system.

On the show, referring to reservation as ?a constitutional issue?, Sibal advocates the need for reservation as it promotes equality in the system by giving opportunities to the unequals to compete.

Catch Kapil Sibal in a no-hold barred chat with anchor Sonia Varma Singh on ?Your Call? this Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 9:30pm only on NDTV 24x7.

MUMBAI: Honda Jazz & Kawasaki Ninja 250R were named as the Car of the Year and Bike of the Year at the NDTV Profit Car & Bike India Awards 2010 held in New Delhi today. Pawan Munjal was conferred with the title of Automotive Man of the Year for his immense contribution to the Indian automobile industry while Shahrukh Khan who is brand ambassador of Hyundai i10 bagged the Best Brand Ambassador Award 2010. Toyota Kirloskar Motors bagged the Ista Hotels Green awards for their involvement in NDTV Toyota Greenathon Campaign and specific green measures taken in Innova and Fortuner. Adrian Sutil collected the MotorSport Award on behalf of the Force India Team.

The evening brought nation?s top professionals, corporate honchos and best minds in the automobile industry such as Jagdish Khattar, Pawan Munjal, Rajesh Jejurikar, Sunil Kant Munjal, Karl Sylm, on a single platform. The grand award ceremony was a celebration of the best style, technology, design and performance and recognized the finest of the speed machines that dominated the Indian terrain in 2009. It also encouraged the participants to look forward to a promising 2010 with new, exciting launches.

Recipient of Best Brand Ambassador of the Year for Hyundai i10 Shahrukh Khan said,? Automotive industry has always been perceived as the transgressor. We all keep talking about the green technology and I believe automobile industry can contribute significantly to this cause. As this day marks the launch of Hyundai electric car, I believe electric car would be the call of the day.?

On receiving the Automotive Man of the Year Award, Pawan Munjal said, ?Whatever we are it?s only because of our customer. Last year everyone saw a decline in sales but we as a company had a flat year. We saw this as an opportunity to build on the momentum and drive our sales.?

The winners of NDTV Car and Bike Awards 2010 in respective categories are:

TWO WHEELERS:
1. Motorcycle up to 125cc: Bajaj Discover DTS-Si
2. Motorcycle up to 160cc: Suzuki GS150
3. Motorcycle up to 200cc: TVS Apache RTR180
4. Motorcycle up to 250cc: Kawasaki Ninja 250R
5. Motorcycle above 250cc: Royal Enfield Classic 500
6. Scooter of the Year: Mahindra Duro
7. Import Two Wheeler of the Year: Honda CB1000R
8. CNB Viewers? Choice Two Wheeler: Hero Honda Karizma ZMR
9. Two Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year: Hero Honda Motors
10. Bike of the Year: Kawasaki Ninja 250R

CARS:
11. Micro Car of the Year: Tata Nano
12. Small Car of the Year: Honda Jazz
13. Mid-size Car of the Year: Fiat Linea
14. Executive Car of the Year: Chevrolet Cruze
15. Entry Premium Car of the Year: Skoda Superb
16. Premium Car of the Year: Mercedes Benz E Class
17. Import Car of the Year: BMW 7 series
18. SUV of the Year: Toyota Fortuner
19. MUV of the Year: Mahindra Xylo
20. Premium SUV of the Year: Audi Q5
21. CNB Viewers‘ Choice Car: Chevrolet Cruze
22. Car Manufacturer of the Year: Maruti Suzuki
23. Car of the Year: Honda Jazz

GENERAL AWARDS:
24. Automotive Product of the Year: MapmyIndia Navigation Device
25. Design of the Year: Hyundai i20
26. Automotive Technology of the Year: Bosch India
27. Ista Hotels Green Award: Toyota Kirloskar Motors India
28. Automotive Man of the Year: Pawan Munjal
29. MotorSport Award: Force India Team

CNB-AAA AWARDS:
30. Best Brand Ambassador: Shahrukh Khan
31. Best Integrated Campaign 2-Wheeler: Bajaj Discover & Pulsar
32. Best Integrated Campaign 4-Wheeler: No award was given in this category
33. Best PR & Communications Team: Royal Enfield

The winners of the awards were chosen by an expert jury comprising of eminent panel of auto aficionados: 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 and Anjana Beniwal, winner of the C&B be on jury contest.

A special panel of jury consisting of Sam Balsara, CEO, Madison Communications; Preeti Vyas, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Vyas Giannetti Creative; Ad Filmmaker Prasoon Pandey along with NDTV?s Shruti Verma Singh and Siddharth Vinayak Patankar chose the winners of CNB-AAA Awards category.

‘NDTV Profit Car India & Bike India Awards‘ is an attempt to felicitate the best among the best in the auto sector, which have been showcased in the highly acclaimed ‘The Car and Bike‘ show. Initiated in the year 2006, the awards have emerged as the most credible automobile industry awards, presented every year by NDTV in association with Car India and Bike India magazine team.

Valuable support has been lent to NDTV Profit Car & Bike Awards 2010 by Presenting Sponsor HDFC Ergo and Associate Sponsor Keys Hotels.

Watch the telecast of the awards on NDTV Profit on 9th Jan at 1:00pm and repeat on following Sunday at 9:00pm.