MUMBAI: In an era where fight against female feticide and dowry issues is picking up all across, where women liberation and female empowerment is most talked about, ETC Channel Punjabi in its all new endeavor is contributing its fare share of responsibility by introducing with first of its kind program for women in the Punjabi genre - ‘Main Ki Karaan‘. Within 3 weeks of its launch, the show has managed to strike an extra ordinary emotional chord with females across length and breadth of the country. The newly launched query based show is proving as an instant connect with women who wish to seek answers on diverse aspects concerning them, their families, their society and most important of all-their feminity. The show picks up issues and concerns that are not often talked about explicitly, opening up a platform for female viewers to explore and elicit all facets of information connected with the subject.

Female viewers speak their heart out with experts from various streams and consider this programme as one of the most authentic sources of information and guidance. The participants make a choice from letters, e-mails, SMS or telephone calls to discuss the problems they have been jostling with. The TRPs indication for already aired 3 episodes on Beauty, Gynecology and Nutrition have been over whelming and the channel is flooded with responses and requests to answer their queries.

"This is really a great effort. Problems that we couldn‘t discuss openly are now addressed here in the most authentic manner. Women face many inhibitions and are actually unable to speak openly even about diseases that we physically encounter"- said a caller from Patiala as she asked a question to the gynecologist on the show. However the show understands the sensitivity of deciphering the identities on Television and makes sure that anonymity, if desired by caller, is duly respected and maintained.

Televised every Friday at 7 pm, the show is catching up rapidly in the region. Experts like lawyers, counselors and fitness experts in the pipeline; the show is pacing fast in the perusal of its social responsibility to satisfy the urge of questions, questions and more questions.

MUMBAI: Miditech, one of Asia?s largest independent production houses, today screened ?The 8th city of Delhi? ?a docu-film showcasing the recreation of Delhi?s journey down the ages at Alliance Franciase. To grace the occasion, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Hon?ble Chief Minister of Delhi was present along with Miditech Pvt. Ltd. founders Nikhil Alva and Niret Alva.

The 45-minute film which outlines all the influences that have made Delhi into the paradoxical, multi faceted city it is today will be premiered on Fox History on 30th July 2009 at 21:00 hrs (9:00 pm). It repeats at on 31st July, at 13:00 hrs, 19:00 hrs on 1st August and 11:00 hrs on 2nd August.

The protagonists of the documentary are a refreshing group of 7 young students from the Delhi College of Art who take a city bus to the venues of the erstwhile 7 cities of Delhi. Their mission is to paint stories from those cities as they figure out the 8th city of Delhi; today?s Delhi.

The film rocks our sense of time as we find ourselves moving from the paintings, to rare archival historical pictures and back to images of the contemporary world capital.

For the first time ever- this unusual documentary helps you feel the body and soul of a city that exists on many levels. A city where the sheer joy of discovering a new corner is a huge high even for the die hard resident. This is Delhi. And this film gives you a glimpse into the soul of the city.

The documentary focuses on reliving the history of each city through unique characters through whom we take a rollercoaster ride into its multifaceted colors, hues, anecdotes, historical references and mysteries.

Speaking on the documentary, Niret Alva, Chairman, Miditech Pvt Ltd said ?The 8th City of Delhi is a lyrical journey back and forth in time and seeks to capture the spirit of a city that has reinvented itself at least 8 times. Not only has it absorbed and amalgamated outside influences but has also welcomed all hues of people down the centuries and that is why almost everyone feels at home here. The documentary lovingly sketches the many colors and seasons of Delhi and provides a unique look at its ever changing face. Filmed by Gurvinder Kochhar, directed by Chandramouli Basu and co-scripted by Anuja Chauhan, ?The 8th City of Delhi? is a product Miditech is really proud of and a salute to the city many of us call home.?

Appreciating the film, Smt. Sheila Dikshit said, ?This film is one of its kinds on Delhi. It documents Delhi?s long history, its vibrancy & changing moods over time. I do hope that those who watch this film today will find it both exciting and revealing.?

MUMBAI: Finally the stage is set for young stars to twinkle in the sky of stardom!!

Fact Enterprise presents a one of a kind beauty pageant cum reality series to be aired on Hindi General Entertainment Channel 9X starting August 1st 2009 every Saturday and Sunday at 8.30pm.

Organized at par with international standards Fact Universal Teen Pageant is a concept that promises to take the concept of beauty contests to a new level. The teen participants will be mentored by former Miss World, Diana Hayden and series of experts like Alison Kanuga for fashion choreography, Dr. Pratiksha Shah for Health, Dr. Purnima Mhatre for skin and hair and fashion designer Rocky S who auditioned the girls across the country for this show.

?The 25 girls shortlisted are handpicked by me and Rocky S from the various cities across India. This is a special moment for me as each girl that is shortlisted will be trained by us to face the industry and carve her career as a successful model in India .I am extremely excited about the association with Fact Universal Teen Pageant and am looking forward to work with the teenagers to enhance their presentation, style, fashion, talent and intellect ? commented Diana Hayden, Mentor on Fact Universal Teen Pageant.

Hosted by model and actor Aryan Vaid the pageant provides a launch pad for beautiful, talented and aspiring teenage girls across India. Join the participants every week for their journey to stardom mentored by experts who will groom them for a brighter future.

Watch out for the Pageant exclusively on 9X starting August 1st 2009 every Saturday and Sunday at 8.30pm.

MUMBAI: ‘Closer‘ the American drama film based on Patrick Marber‘s hit play is all set to telecast on PIX-the premium English movie channel from Multi Screen Media Ltd. formerly known as Sony Entertainment Network on Friday, July 31 2009, 9pm as PIX Movie of the Month.

Nominated for several awards and winner of a BAFTA and Golden Globe for Best performance by an actor in supporting role by Clive Owen amongst many other awards and accolades, the movie set primarily in London, is directed by Mike Nichols. The movie is a visual treat with the most glamorous and enticing actors - Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen.

The film is based on how the relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other. The taglines of the movie "If you believe in love at first sight, you never stop looking‘ and ‘If you believe in love at first sight, take a closer look‘ gives an idea about the plot of the movie that deals with the complexity and unpredictability of human emotions and relationships.

‘Closer‘ set in London, England, starts when Alice Ayres (Natalie Portman) and struggling writer Dan Woolf (Jude Law) see each other for the first time from opposite sides of a street as they are walking toward each other among many other rush hour pedestrians. Alice is hit by a car and Dan takes her to the hospital and they soon become lovers.

One year later, Dan meets photographer Anna Cameron (Julia Roberts), he tries to woo her but she cuts him off. In revenge, Dan sets Anna up for an embarrassing encounter with dermatologist Larry Gray (Clive Owen) through an internet-chat session, but the two end up seeing each other. Then another year later, Dan and Anna begin an affair of their own, and relationships between the four collapses. Over the next year, all of them become obsessed with hurting each other and cause unimaginable emotional damage.

So tune in as the relationship drama ‘Closer‘ airs as PIX Movie of the Month this Friday July 31 2009 at 9 pm only on PIX.

MUMBAI: In her latest interview with Taran Adarsh on ETC Bollywood Business, Deepika Padukone breaks her silence on the controversy surrounding her casting in Imtiaz Ali‘s next, Love Aaj Kal.

After the phenomenal success of Jab We Met, director Imtiaz Ali was expected to repeat his award-winning leading lady in his next film. Add to that, the fact that Imtiaz‘s next venture happens to be a Saif Ali Khan production with the "Chhote Nawaab" playing the main lead, and you could Saif-ly assume that the film had to land in Bebo‘s lap! Little wonder then, that when Love Aaj Kal went to Deepika Padukone instead of Kareena, the latter had difficulty digesting the loss.

Making matters worse for Kareena, the film features her beau in a couple of kissing sequences with the gorgeous Padukone. Upset with the idea, Kareena is reported to have expressed deep resentment over the scenes. Catch Deepika Padukone in a candid mood over Kareena‘s strong reactions to her presence in Love Aaj Kal and her hot scenes with Saif. Don‘t miss this juicy interview on ETC Bollywood Business at 8:30 PM on Tuesday, 28th July only on channel ETC.

MUMBAI: CNBC AWAAZ, India‘s No 1 Business channel will present Travel Awards 2009, the most revered awards in the travel and tourism sector. The Indian travel and tourism industry has been steadily growing, boosting other allied services like transport, hospitality, tour operators, and travel portals among others. CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards, aim to honor the best in the travel and tourism industry. They are based on an extensive survey conducted by Synovate. The awards are supported by Incredible India and backed by a panel of eminent experts. The winners will be felicitated by Selja Kumari, Honourable Minister of Tourism at a ceremony on July 30, 2009 in Bangalore.

CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards are based on a study conducted across 12 cities and 1120 respondents to reveal the best in the tourism industry and the factors that are responsible for the choice. The target audience were grouped into 3 categories mainly Corporate, Trade and General public basis certain criteria and included all the zones of the country. With 42 award categories, CNBC AWAAZ aims to recognize and honor the contribution of all divisions of the travel and tourism industry. These include 28 research based categories and four categories decided by the jury panel. The awards will also present 9 citations in the following categories:

• Best tourism income generating project:
  
• Site with best eco-tourism practices:
  
• Best NGO engaged in sustainable tourism
  
• Best example of community based tourism
  
• Tourism site best demonstrating women‘s empowerment
  
• First Generation Entrepreneur in the Budget category
  
• Special Commendation for Redefining Indian Railways
  
• Special Commendation for Revitalizing Tourism
  
• Special Commendation for Bravery in the Face of Terror
  
• Lifetime Achievement in The Travel & Tourism Industry

With the diverse categories of tourism that India offers and the continuously increasing competition in this sector, it becomes important to determine the benchmarks of performance thus benefiting both the consumer and industry. CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards is an initiative to felicitate the best in the travel industry and motivate further growth and excellence.

Commenting on the CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards 2009, Mr. Neel Chowdhury, VP-Marketing, and CNBC-TV18 & CNBC AWAAZ said: "CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards aims to acknowledge and honor the contribution of people responsible for the growing travel and tourism sector. This initiative is our way of motivating them to perform better so as to provide added benefits to the tourists who in turn act as India‘s ambassadors. "

CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards 2009

Venue: The Leela Palace Hotel, Bangalore
Date: 30th July 2009
Time: 6.30 pm