MUMBAI: The crowd in Surat went into frenzy as the home team crushed Ludhiana to win the inaugural Rin T-10 Gully Cricket Championship in a thrilling finale witnessed by around 25,000 spectators at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium. The icing on the cake was the fact that city boy Nilesh Patel got a call for try-outs from the Mumbai Indians IPL team, a testament to the fact that there is enough and more talent waiting to be explored in the country.

This unique and a first of its kind initiative was conceptualized by the Wadhwa brothers Anoop and Ashok and sponsored and supported by Rin, a popular detergent brand from HUL. Rin T10 Gully Cricket was created with a clear mandate to provide a much needed opportunity to thousands of young aspiring cricketers in small town India to showcase their talent in front of a national audience.

Both, Rin as well as the directors of the tournament are overwhelmed by the excitement that the tournament has generated. Around 25,000 budding cricketers appeared for the trials across 8 cities. Anoop Wadhwa, Director of T-10 Gully Cricket, says, ?The response of the people has been absolutely phenomenal and that has inspired us to think about holding such an event more often. We actually plan to hold this event twice every year. The tournament has given a lot of confidence to the players who have now become heroes of their cities as a result of all the recognition that they have deservedly received.?

Samardeep Subandh, Marketing Manager Premium Laundry, Hindustan Unilever said, ?The event has been a huge success and we are very satisfied to have given a platform to talented and determined cricketers to prove themselves. We wish Nilesh Patel a very successful future.The event was a perfect fit with Rin?s DNA of giving consumers the confidence of achieving their ambitions and married seamlessly with Rin?s new campaign of Dugni Safedi, Dugni Chamak which shows a confident young cricketer proclaiming ?Doosra ball bhi Sixer hoga?. This is exactly the spirit of in which Rin T-10 Gully cricket was played.?

With exciting innovations ? Rin Dugne Run Power Over where runs scrored off the bat would be doubled and Tenner where 10 runs are awarded if 2 consecutive sixes are hit saw some truly explosive cricket being played. The entire event was supervised by none other than former manager & coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Mr. Lalchand Rajput and renowned commentator & cricket specialist Charu Sharma. The event was promoted by Ishant Sharma and eminent cricketers like Harbhajan Singh who attended the Ludhiana leg, expressed their support for the event.

Last but not the least, the finest 11 players were given the Rin Chamakta Sitara award along with a cash prize of Rs.25000. These Rin Chamakta Sitaras have been selected to appear in a reality show called ?Rin Aashayein - Iradon ki dugani chamak?, which talks about his life and his ambitions with Lalchand Rajput and Charu Sharma commenting on his future potential. The show has been spread over eleven episodes and is being telecasted on DD National at 8:30 on Saturday and Sunday.

MUMBAI: As India goes through elections soon, the current Finance Minister presented the Interim Budget to the parliament. The past year was full of uncertain and unexpected events that were fuelled by global economic slowdown. In turbulent times like these, Interim Budget was seen as the government‘s last chance to make its presence felt on the economy. CNBC AWAAZ took a step back this season to analyse how the UPA Government has performed in the last year.

As a part of its multi-faceted programming at the juncture of the Interim Budget, CNBC AWAAZ presented special shows to help the viewers understand the interim budget better. The Channel focused strongly on adding value to the viewer experience and building interactivity on the day of India‘s most important economic event of the year.

Kaisa Raha Yeh Saal Aur Poora UPA Regime: The panel discussion included panelists from the Government, the opposition and independent experts on the economy. The show revisited the Government‘s promises, its great success, its mammoth failures and its plans if re-elected.

What say Mr. Minister?: An interview based show with ex- finance ministers, likely finance ministers in the next Govt. and financial experts, about the economic decisions, the recession in the backdrop of the looming election and the Interim Budget. Met top politicians, policymakers and influencers like the Finance Minister, P.Chidambaram, Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh, Sitaram Yechuri and Montek Singh Ahluwalia to find out how this Interim Budget can craft the election agenda.

Corporate India waiting for a New Tax Regime: Even as the industry trudges its way through a global slowdown, it eagerly awaited policy decisions on tax among many others. The show in the form of a panel discussion with industry captains and experts debated about the possible future.

Taxation - For Individuals: Although we know that taxes are inevitable, it is every tax payer‘s undying wish to have his tax burden reduced. CNBC AWAAZ provided a platform to the common man on the street to air his opinion on the most detested three letter word.

Tax SME‘s And Business: SMEs form a significant part of India‘s production capacity as they account for over 40% of India‘s industrial production. But many of these units have taken the biggest hit in the global recession. This special show focused on how provisions and reforms for this sector gave them the much-needed boost.

Employment Generation: Employment generation has always been a challenge for any government. However, with the global recession setting in and the specter of unemployment looming large, the government and industry have their work cut out. How can we cope in these trying times to boost employment?

Economists: The Key Challenges ?
Agriculture, Health, Education & Infrastructure: The UPA government laid stress on many initiatives like the mid-day meal programme, rural development schemes and scholarships for needy students & investing Rs.1,74,000 crore in infrastructure & telecommunications in rural areas. Have these programmes actually made a difference to the common man? This show tried to understand if the basic needs of the citizen were addressed and what measures the government could undertake to correct itself.

Markets: In a global economy, no stock market is decoupled. The past few weeks have seen unprecedented measures across the world to keep financial institutions afloat. Regulatory reforms are eagerly awaited and measures to inject liquidity in the market will be welcomed. Where does the ordinary investor stand in the midst of all this? This was brought out in a special feature show only on CNBC AWAAZ.

VOA-Speech: FM‘s Speech Live In Hindi: The landmark speech was followed by analysis and detailing of the implications of the same on the economy, citizens and the government over the next few months

VOA Analysis: On the eve of the Interim Budget, CNBC AWAAZ presented a unique show with a panel of experts demystifying and analysing the Interim Budget speech for the common man. This panel brought out the expectations and impact of Interim Budget to the nation.

Rail Budget: The Rail Budget speech by Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav detailed what all was done to improve a common man‘s rail travel, what new trains and router were added and the common man‘s take away from it. The show also went on-ground and displayed views of the public of the announcements made as a part of the Rail Budget.

Rail Budget Analysis: On the new Rail Budget, CNBC AWAAZ presented a show with a panel of experts analyzing the year‘s performance of Railway under Lalu Prasad Yadav and its impact on the common man. This panel brought out the road ahead for Indian Railways and impact of Rail Budget on the nation.

The New Agenda: Has the global recession put brakes on the Indian juggernaut? What critical economic decisions can be taken to shield the economy from it? CNBC AWAAZ went on-ground to the youth that‘s driving the economy for their take on what needs to be done to bring the nation‘s economy back on track.

Budget Ho Toh Aisa - Aage Ka Agenda: CNBC AWAAZ went to the taxpayer to find out what his expectations were from the government-in-waiting. Whether an investor or a consumer, every economic policy decision brings along many expectations and predictions that the taxpayer hopes, will change life for the better. What does the man on the street expect from the government? CNBC AWAAZ brought his voice to the powers by giving him a platform in Aage Ka Agenda.

Meri Naukri Mera Budget: With the economic slowdown spreading its tentacles across India, the organized workforce now has something new to worry about ? Retrenchment - the aam aadmi‘s nightmare & the youth‘s fear. CNBC AWAAZ brings to you the trials & the tribulations of the common man.

SME Agenda: Is the SME growth story still intact? Has the drying up of liquidity stemmed the Indian SME dream? What is that the governments needs to do to reinforce confidence & empower India‘s fastest growing community

Corporate Wish List: A series of vignettes with top CEO‘s expressing their fiscal policy expectations from the government.

Speaking on this, Mr. Neel Chowdhury, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, CNBC-TV18 & CNBC AWAAZ said, "Our economy is at a very crucial juncture. The decisions that the present government has taken now will be crucial as they will be the starting point for the next. On this occasion CNBC AWAAZ has presented its viewers with comprehensive view of the vote and what it meant for all the stakeholders."

MUMBAI: Anu an ardent Mirchi listener never missed her daily dose of excitement between 5pm to 9pm on Radio Mirchi. Less did she know, that her fancy for the voice of Band Bajayisi Huduga RJ Avinash would land her a date with him on Valentine‘s Day!

Anu was one among the thousand‘s of respondents who participated in the Valentine‘s Day special on-air contest to win a lunch date with the hottest voice of the town - RJ Avinash. The contest was organised as part of the Clinic All Clear campaign, wherein listeners were required to buy Clinic All Clear shampoo to enrol into the contest and give reasons as to why they want to go on a date with Avinash.

Defying the Valentine Villains, Anu went to having a rocking date with Avinash at Sahib Sindh Sultan. The very elated Anu said, "I am absolutely ecstatic after meeting Avi, never thought Saint Valentine would be this generous to grant me a date which was totally unexpected!!! There is no doubt Radio Mirchi and RJ Avinash ...Sakkath Hot Maga!".

"This has been one of the most incredible experience of my RJing career...it feels great to receive so much adoration and love from our listeners, especially from the girls..." exclaimed Balcony Baadshah.

MUMBAI: Reliance Communications, India?s largest and only telecom operator offering nationwide CDMA and GSM mobile Services, today announced achieving a record 5 Million new wireless subscribers on its network during January 2009. With this significant achievement, Reliance Communications has become India?s first and World?s first (apart from China) to add 5 Million new subscribers in a span of 30 days, on its fully-IP enabled, Next Generation Wireless network.
The entry of Reliance Mobile in the GSM segment has once again led to a significant expansion of the market, with the company seeing a significant 285% rise in new subscriber additions, within the first month of its nationwide GSM rollout.

?Reliance Communications is indeed glad to see such a tremendous response by the Indian Telecom consumers, which has been instrumental in redefining the dynamics of the sector and achieving a record new subscriber addition of 5 Million. This significant achievement shows that almost one out of every two customers is choosing Reliance Mobile over other options?, said Mr. S.P. Shukla, President ? Personal Business, Reliance Communications. ?We continue to experience acceleration in the growth momentum as we keep launching our GSM services in new geographies and offering a slew of attractive recharge options to further enhance our already superior customer offerings. A response of such magnitude makes us confident of setting new benchmarks in customer service in the months to come?, he added.

Reliance Mobile announced the launch of its GSM services in January 2009 and has rolled out its services in 11000 towns and 3 lakh villages in a phased manner during the course of the month. The company has added another 3000 towns taking its GSM network to over 14,000 towns and 4 lakh villages and is on course to take its dual network ? CDMA and GSM- coverage to 24000 towns and 6 lakh villages.

MUMBAI: India‘s most watched English news channel, TIMES NOW will showcase a host of special shows this weekend for your viewing pleasure. The very first on the list is an exclusive IPL special introducing the teams and taking the audience through their preparation for the mega tournament.

Times Drive this week reviews the stylish BMW 650 i and the stunning and sporty SUZUKI GS150. Also, on this week‘s episode Dino Morea shares his love for the mean machines. TIMES DRIVE captures the experiences involved in driving. Presenters attempt to transfer to the viewer the experience of the drive, allowing them to enjoy the drive vicariously all in the comfort of their living room. The show profiles car lovers of all shapes and sizes, including celebrities, sports people, racers (legal and otherwise) and auto-enthusiasts.

Other special shows that are lined up include ‘Total Recall‘ which will showcase Mothers of Bollywood. From Nirupa Roy to Durga Khote, this week‘s episode captures the life of the yesteryear Ma. The show has covered the likes of Bollywood legends like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Sharmila Tagore and many more.

This week ENOW Exclusive will capture the young and vivacious Vidya Balan. A Day in the life of a Star captures the lives of prominent Bollywood icons, taking the viewers through a snapshot of their day.

‘The Foodie‘, hosted by the irreverent Kunal Vijayakar is a show that travels through India in search of good food - right from the street, into the kitchen and onto the table. This weekend actor Sonam Kapoor talks about her film Delhi 6 and her love for street food this week on The Foodie.

The Special Forces are the elite cold blood fighting forces that are aggressive, tough as nails and a cut above the rest. ‘Line of Duty‘ this week takes us to the icy terrain of Siachen.

Watch all this! Only on TIMES NOW.

‘Total Recall‘
Saturday 12.30 pm and 9:30 pm
Sunday 2.30 pm and 8.30 pm

‘The Foodie‘
Saturday 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm
Sunday 11:30 am and 7:30 pm

‘Times Drive‘
Saturday 11:30 am and 7:30 pm
Sunday 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm

‘ENow Exclusive‘
Saturday 2:30 pm
Sunday 5:30 pm

‘Line of Duty‘
Saturday 10:30 pm
Sunday 12:30 pm to 1 pm