MUMBAI: NDTV gears up for this Big Weekend of 61st Independence Day and Rakshabandhan by bringing to its viewers a host of special programmes that promise to entertain and lift up their spirits.

What better way to spend the day than to join Indian cricket captain, MS Dhoni, as he matches skill and courage with the Indian Air Force in Jaisalmer? Can Dhoni ride a Ducati 1098S against a MIG 27 on a 3-km long runway? And who wins the match of cricket between Captain Dhoni and the Air Force Team? Check it out for yourself on ‘Jai Jawaan‘ on Friday, August 15 at 9.30 pm on NDTV India and 8pm on NDTV 24x7.

Here‘s a serious look at Independent India with documentary filmmaker Amar Kanwar capturing nature and captivity and people‘s struggles - working people resisting an onslaught on their livelihoods, democracy, profit and the sound of the rain - all in a single film titled ‘Freedom‘ on Thursday, August 14, at 9.30 pm on NDTV 24X7.

Multi-billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates together represent almost $100 billion in personal wealth!! What would you ask the two richest men in the world? Find out about their most valued possession, ethics, money, globalization and the secrets to their success as they field questions from business students on this special interview ‘Buffett And Gates Go Back To School‘, Friday, August 15, 10 pm on NDTV Profit.

From Amartya Sen to R A Mashelkar, from Piyush Pandey to Amitav Ghosh, watch the finest minds of the country locked in a crossfire, taking stock and setting the agenda for the future with Manvi Dhillion only on ‘The Unstoppable Indians: Defining A New India‘, Friday, August 15, 8 pm on NDTV Profit.

Celebrate Independence in style with the show ‘I Am Too Sexy For My Shoes‘ as anchor Ambika Anand goes across the country to celebrate indigenous textiles and motifs - the gush of colour with Bengal‘s Kantha, the flux of lux with Benarasi brocade, the scamper of prints with Bengali block prints and a scud of designs with Rajasthani motifs on Friday, August 15 at 9 PM on NDTV Good Times

Experience India in all its gastronomic splendour with Chef Aditya Bal as he heads to the ‘City of Joy‘ Kolkata. Join him for an English breakfast at the famous Flury‘s. Go on to the majestic Victoria Memorial, unravel the secret behind the Kolkata Kathi Roll at Nizam‘s restaurant, pay a tribute to freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose with a visit to his ancestral home and top it all with authentic Bengali fish cooked by the head chef of Aheli Restaurant followed by traditional Bengali sweets at the famous Hindustan Sweets. Only on ‘Chakh le India!‘ on Friday, August 15 at 12.30 pm on NDTV Good Times.

Watch Chef Manju Malhi toss up a tri-coloured salad, this Independence Day, with white pasta, French beans and carrots. Find out how easy it is to make a Chicken and Apricot parcel and much more on ‘Cooking Isn‘t Rocket Science‘, Friday, August 15 at 5.30 pm on NDTV Good Times.

If you care about your capital city, our saddi dilli, look out for ‘Salaam Dilli‘, a show that salutes the citizens of this capital city and works towards making it a better place. Set against the backdrop of the historic Humayun‘s Tomb, anchor Rupali Tewari interacts with a cross-section of people, including Rabbi Shergill, Sir Mark Tully, Nafisa Ali and others, to find out what freedom means to them. Don‘t miss the special Independence Day episode on Friday, August 15, 10am with a repeat at 9pm on NDTV MetroNation.

Sachin Pilot and Nalini Singh judge the students from top five schools in Delhi as they deliberate in a parliamentary style on nationalism, youth and changing face of India on this special episode of ‘The Delhi School Debate‘ on Friday, August 15, 9am with a repeat at 7pm on NDTV MetroNation.

Catch Khaye Piye Khiske: Rakhi special, a show where the anchor gets rakhis tied and gorges on rakhi special sweets at Old Delhi on Saturday, August 16, 1pm on NDTV MetroNation.

MUMBAI: Times Now has introduced several initiatives to capture the spirit of the 29th Olympiad. One of these is to launch a focused show hosted by Charu Sharma on the 2008 Olympics - ‘GoldFest‘. Expressing his enthusiasm, Charu Sharma said, "The Olympics is the mecca of all sport, and as a sports buff I couldn‘t have asked for anything more. Times Now‘s initiative for comprehensive coverage of the Olympics ensures that Beijing Games receive the attention and prominence they deserve. Along with that, the analysis by our experts help in giving an all-round perspective."

The show reflects the nailbiting excitement that surrounds the sporting event with reports from the venue,analysis by guests like former athletics star Ashwani Nachappa and world renowned shooter Morad Ali Khan, interviews with the Indian contingents, Olympics trivia, moments of the day and lots more. The show also offers the viewers a chance to exhibit their enthusiasm by participating in various quizzes and contest related to the current and past Olympiad Games. ‘Goldfest‘ kicks off on August 7 and will be aired every night at 10:30 pm till the end of the Olympics, August 24.

Speaking on the unique initiative to provide comprehensive coverage of the Olympics, Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief, Times Now said, "As a channel, we have always given precedence to an event that impacts our audiences, irrespective of whether it is being held in India or elsewhere. The 2008 Olympics is a benchmark in history and with a prominent Indian presence at the games this year, Times Now viewers have an opportunity to catch all the action from Beijing."

Times Now will also host an Olympics special in its comprehensive sports show ‘The Game‘ with Boria Majumdar and incorporate regular updates on the Olympics as a part of their daily news bulletins to keep the viewers constantly updated about the latest happenings. Commenting on his involvement with Times Now, Boria Majumdar said, "Olympics is the biggest spectacle in the world and I am really excited that it is taking place in Asia after such a long time. I truly appreciate Times Now‘s initiative for giving attention to a significant global event in a country that has focused entirely on cricket."

MUMBAI: This week Salaam Zindagi brings you four beautiful love stories of couples who crossed the boundaries of religion and caste to be with each other. For Russian-born Natalia and Ajay, geographical limits were not an issue when they thought of being together. Different religions and cultures have helped them, and other such couples, imbibe the best of both worlds. They respect each other and their religion is to make the world a happier place to live in.

Watch Naghma Sehar as she discusses the important issues about mixed marriages with Nafisa Ali and her husband Col. R. S. Sodhi this Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 6:00 pm and its repeat telecast on August 11, 2008 at 2:30 pm (Part I), and August 12, 2008 at 2:30 pm (Part II), only on NDTV India.

MUMBAI: Sujata is baffled to meet Veeresh‘s mother after so many years? even more shocked is the harrowing fact that she has just 20 days to live, as per the predictions! While she is trying to cope with the prediction about her death she receives a phone call to say that her son Sam is in danger. Sam in the meantime is trying to hide in his bid to escape from the clutches of the drug peddler and finally meets with an accident and is unconscious. Sujata in her anxiety to fulfill her mother-in-law‘s dying wish & see her husband‘s success she pressurizes Veeresh to have the launch of Sara Creations immediately.

Sara Creations, Veeresh‘s most prestigious brand, is being launched amidst great fanfare with the industry‘s who‘s who attending it. This is the day Veeresh has dreamt about, the day when he will make it to the league as of one of India‘s finest entrepreneurs. The stage is set for the launch? in walks in Veeresh‘s business tycoon father & mother (Sujata invites them) to be a part of his eventful day. What transpires there was something both Sujata & Veeresh least expected. An angry Veeresh blames Sujata for messing up his future and his new launch.

Why was Veeresh blaming Sujata for the series of incidents at the launch? All she wanted was to see her husband‘s success. A completely dejected Veeresh breaks down before his partner Menka, who uses the opportunity knowing fully well that he is vulnerable. A distraught Sujata goes to meet Veeresh only to find her husband Veeresh in bed with Menka!

Stay tuned to Sujata from Monday-Thursday at 10.00 p.m. only on Sony Entertainment Television.

MUMBAI: From a culinary journey with a monsoon flavour in Kerala to a holistic high in an old palace in Gwalior... join NDTV Good Times as they whet your senses like never before. From a family holiday in Goa to a Royal Reservation in Rajasthan? let the monsoons take over this August ... let the Good Times begin!

In this first episode, join Salma as she explores Kerala, God‘s own country. and enter the world of tranquility, serenity and natural beauty at this exotic destination. Be transported to a paradise where land, sea and sky come together in a union of elements. Experience an unforgettable journey along the tranquil backwaters of Kerala.

Watch out for the much awaited ‘Rain‘ with Salma Merchant, starting August 8, 2008, Friday at 10.00 pm and a repeat telecast on August 10, 2008, Sunday at 9.30 pm only on NDTV Good Times.