MUMBAI: IBN Network announces "IBN7 Diamond States Awards" a unique initiative in partnership with Outlook for recognizing human and social development efforts by the states of India. These awards shift the focus from the usual parameters of GDP, FDI, exports, infrastructure, etc to human resource development and social development parameters, including social infrastructure like schools, hospitals, civic amenities, etc.

IBN7 Diamond States Awards help in recognizing the meaningful progress of the states and is assessing the benefits and impact on the common man.

The awards will take place on 22nd September 2008, in Delhi over a Panel discussion with Chief Ministers of Various States conducted by Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network and Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 on the subject "Has power in India shifted from Center to the states". National Leaders and other several personalities would also be attending the award ceremony. As a build up to the awards IBN7 & and CNN-IBN will telecast multiple on-air specials and stories and factoids on each of the states.

As the independent Knowledge Partner, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) will manage the process, methodology and the data for arriving at the best states for the various categories. The Editorial Board along with the jury consisting of eminent citizens, will oversee the selection process and ratify the findings.

The award categories in IBN7 "Diamond states awards" consist of Healthcare, Education, Employment generation and training, Poverty Reduction, Civic Amenities, Women Empowerment, Citizen Security, Eco-Friendly, Grass Roots Development and E-governance along with Three special Categories - India‘s Best Small State ,Best Emerging State and Best State .

In the run up to the awards, Rajdeep Sardesai Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network says, "In a time when India as a country is on an economic overdrive, it is very important for every state to contribute to its potential for the next level of growth. The states need to facilitate inclusive development by exploiting their strengths and it is very pleasing that there are states & bodies which are working in this direction. We are very happy to announce IBN7 Diamond State Awards to encourage state governments and functionaries on various aspects of development for the better future of the country."

Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 adds, "Indian federal structure is the backbone of our country and it is very essential that states work towards human and social development, as well. We have come up with the concept of IBN7 Diamond State Awards and are delighted to partner with Outlook, a very trusted media brand in this initiative. We want to recognise the leaders of the states who are doing good work and in turn inspire others to work towards achieving the same"

The Special Jury for IBN7 "Diamond States Awards"

" Mr. Bimal Jalan - Former RBI Governor, Rajya Sabha MP, Chairman of the Jury

" Dr. Bakul H Dholakia - Former Director, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

" Mr. Gurcharan Das - Author, Consultant and Public Intellectual

" Ms. Ila Patnaik - Senior Fellow - National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP)

" Mr. Prathap Banu Mehta - President & Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research

" DR. Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI

MUMBAI: All of you would be aware of the terrible floods that have crippled Bihar. But the magnitude of the devastation may have escaped our attention ? even from Indian standards, these are said to be the worst floods in almost a century.

Around 15 days ago, river Kosi broke open its embankment in the Northern part of Bihar (bordering Nepal) to pick up a channel it had abandoned over 200 years ago, drowning towns, numerous villages and rendering over 35 Million homeless. 15 Districts in the state are now under 8-10 feet of water. More than 10 Million people have sought refuge in relief camps and search & rescue operations conducted by the army & security forces are still rescuing thousands of Children, Women & Men who are in urgent need of relocation & medical assistance.

This tragedy is comparable to the Tsunami that hit us a few years ago and this is the time for all of us help in every which way we can.

A large number of these are people who have deep relation with Star TV: they have engaged with us for years through our programmes. We have triggered emotions in them everyday now for over a decade and today when they are struck by a tragedy of this magnitude, Star cannot abandon them. That is why, as a responsible corporate but even more as the company that has perhaps the deepest emotional relationship with common people of India, STAR India has decided to provide immediate assistance in the form of relief materials like Food, Clothing & Medical Supplies to the relief camps in Bihar. To fund these activities, we are creating a relief fund.

I appeal to all employees in Star to contribute at least a day‘s salary (you can also contribute more) to the relief fund. The company will match the contribution made by the employee‘s and the sum collected will be used to procure relief materials and distribute them in Bihar. We are also trying to reach out to our other corporate and commercial partners to help the victims as much as they can. I shall keep you posted on the nature and extent of our help.

MUMBAI: A - melodious musical box - which has it all, that is what ‘Shemaroo Jukebox‘ stands for. Songs from various genres of films and from different era‘s appealing to one and all, from senior citizens to the youth of today. The tracks in this title will always remain evergreen to audiences across.

Just as the music lover has the option to listen to the song of his choice in a Jukebox, Shemaroo Entertainment‘s song compilation title ‘Shemaroo Jukebox‘ recreates the magic of Jukebox, by giving the audience a choice of audio visual, all-time hits to select from the given menu.

Shemaroo Jukebox Series includes 3 DVD volumes and 6 VCD volumes featuring the most popular songs from Shemaroo‘s catalogue.

Songs with various moods like ‘Dukki Pe Dukki Ho‘ from ‘Satte pe Satta‘; ‘Do Lafzon Ki Hai‘ from ‘The Great Gambler‘; ‘Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho‘ from ‘Aasha‘; ‘Tere Bina Zindagi Se‘ from ‘Aandhi‘; ‘Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli‘ from ‘Anand‘; ‘Aaanewala Pal Jaanewala Hai‘ from ‘Golmal‘ and ‘Dum Maaro Dum‘ from ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna‘ among others.

Every song in all the volumes is preceded with interesting information like name of the film, year of release, lyricist, music director, singers and the like.

‘Shemaroo Jukebox‘ is definitely every music lover‘s possession!

Each of the 6 Jukebox VCDs are economically priced at Rs. 45/- MRP and each of the 3 Jukebox DVDs are economically priced at Rs. 99/- MRP.

MUMBAI: The war is heating up, leaving absolutely no room for errors! Perfect strategies, perfect moves and perfect scores seem to be the only way to win this battle of sexes. The Tez Talwars and the Meethi Churi?s can?t afford to make any mistakes at this critical point in the competition! This week?s ?Performance? episode is filled with amazing twists and turns and laced with elements of thrill and excitement. Tune in to a nail-biting episode of Zara Nachke Dikha this Monday, September 15 at 9.30 pm, exclusively on Star One.

The ?Tashan? round starts with a bang with the sultry Meethi Churi Ashita Dhawan?s performance on ?Aaja Gufaaon Mein Aa?. Her sizzling moves enthrall the judges and the audience to the core. The Tez Talwar Amit takes the onus to give some tough competition with a medley of peppy songs like ?Move your body and Tere naal ishq nibhana?. To add to the fun in the ?Hum Tum? round, the vivacious Karishma Tanna & energetic Bakhtyaar perform in a south Indian avatar. Their cute and enjoyable act is appreciated by one and all. Dressed up as village belles, the Meethi churi?s kick off the ?Jhoom Barabar Jhoom? round with a tribal dance on ?Daga Daga Waii Waii Waii ?. The Tez Talwaar?s fight back in true Lagaan style with a zabardast performance on ?Oh mitwa?!

Tune-in to Star One for all the masti and entertainment, every Monday & Tuesday @ 9.30 and join in the war on Zara Nachke Dikha!

Each week promises to be a fun filled fiesta as both the teams put their dancing skills to test and outdo each other on the dance floor! The Performance Episode of ?Zara Nachke Dikha? will air every Monday at 9:30 p.m., showcasing the exciting competition between both the teams. The Challenge Episodes, which will air every Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., will provide an opportunity for weaker teams to bounce back. With no eliminations and no public voting, the show will be based on the jury?s final verdict. These performances will be judged hugely talented and versatile Chunky Pandey and elegant Malaika Arora Khan and will be hosted by charismatic Karan Singh Grover and ravishing Shweta Gulati.