MUMBAI: CNBC-TV18, India‘s No.1 business medium, in association with Bank of Rajasthan series called ‘A Walk down the Policy Lane‘ dialogues with Mr. Rahul Bajaj, Chairman - Bajaj Auto Limited on this weekend‘s episode.

The Made-in-India tag is no more looked down upon and has become much more acceptable. After the boom in the IT sector, the manufacturing sector is on a revolution, with the increasing presence of multinationals, scaling up of operations by the domestic companies and expanding domestic market. India‘s manufacturing base is the fourth-largest among emerging economies and it is among the fastest growing. The sector has been averaging 9 per cent in the last four years.

But the India label has still a long way to go, the manufacturing industry is a very challenging sector. There is a constant pressure to deliver innovative products, respond to customer demand quickly, and eliminate costs. Therefore how can India become the factory of the world? Who better to answer this question than the man who created India‘s top scooter company in the strict ‘License Raj Regime‘, Mr. Rahul Bajaj.

With this discussion CNBC-TV18 provides a platform to speak of the opportunities, areas of improvement, concerns and challenges pertaining to the Indian Manufacturing Sector

So catch Mr. Rahul Bajaj in conversation with CNBC-TV18‘s AB Ravi, as they find out whether the next decade belongs to Indian Manufacturing sector in ‘A Walk down the Policy Lane‘.

‘A Walk down the Policy Lane‘ is a special series on policy discussions with thought leaders from sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, skilled, retail etc. The series focuses on understanding what kinds of policy changes are required to make India a leading player in a particular sector. Accordingly this weekend CNBC-TV18‘s ‘A Walk down the Policy Lane‘ focuses on The Indian Manufacturing sector.

MUMBAI: By the sheer enormity of the crowd present, Salaam Kolhapur was a rousing success. The event staged at Keshav Raod Bhosle Natya Gruh, Kolhapur saw prominent personalities of Kolhapur, namely the first citizen of the City - the Mayor, the present scion of the Kolhapur dynasty, educationists, industrialists, renowned artists, among the gathering.

Salaam Kolhapur began with the lighting of the lamp by the Great Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur and Mrs. Kanchan Adhikari of Mi Marathi.

The event opened with ‘Devicha Gondhal‘ followed by a variety entertainment programme woven loosely around a story line. Each of the incidences in the story line highlighted a ‘Khaasiyat‘ or a unique aspect of Kolhapur. It portrayed the life in Kolhapur as well as the people of Kolhapur. A medley of dances based on famous Marathi film songs in reference to Kolhapur went alongside dances based on Kannada, Telegu songs as it is an inherent part of Kolhapuri culture.

A short skit by actors Rahul Mehendale, Mrunmayee Lagu, Pushkar Shrotri and Hrishikesh Joshi revolved around a Director from Mumbai who lands in Kolhapur to make a movie. The skit depicted the development of Kolhapur and it‘s connectivity by first class express highway.

Mi Marathi felicitated a farmer who name has been included in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records for World class cultivation of Crops and using the Best Scientific Technique in irrigation. A local wrestler who has received numerous awards and has won Olympic Gold medal for India was also felicitated. Unbelievable but true he was 75 years of age. A Paithani was also felicitated for his remarkable achievement of making the turban in 90 secs. Others who were felicitated were a Kolhapuri chappal maker, Misal - Raja Bhau, a pujari of Kolhapur - Mahalaxmi Temple and a Solanki ice cream man among others.

In between the felicitation were performances by various local groups. The finale song of Salaam Kolhapur was sung by Ajay Atul and Ashok Patki, with lyrics by Mr. Mangesh Kulkarni. The event was conceptualized by Vinay Apte and his team.

The theme of the event ‘Salaam Kolhapur‘, brought out the lifestyle of the people. However the main focus was the history, the heritage of Kolhapur and the love of the people for their city. The culmination of the event was surely a salute to their pride - ‘Kolhapuri Asmita‘.

MUMBAI: LINOpinion, The Lintas Public Relations Division, has announced a spectacular start to 2008, with 18 new client wins and a 40% revenue increase in the first quarter of the year.

Ameer Ismail, President, LINOpinion and Member of the Executive Council, Lintas IMAG said, "We offer our client partners strategic inputs and customized solutions rather than standard offerings. This has ensured our consistent growth without compromising quality since our inception in 1994. Reflective of the current macro-economic boom and our deep, long-standing client relationships, we are set to surpass all expectations in 2008."

Some of the new businesses won by LINOpinion include brands like JP Morgan AMC, GM Pens [Reynolds], Leading Brands of the World, BIG Entertainment [ADAG], JNNURM, Baxter Healthcare, Saint Gobain, Anchor Toothpaste, UTVi, Wizcraft-IIFA 2008, Oriflame, C Krishniah Chetty Jewellers, Taurus Beverages, Aquasail and AAAI-Goafest, amongst others. Notably most of these brands were won in multi-agency pitches.

"Over the years, LINOpinion has succeeded in building an enviable reputation as an industry trendsetter with a growing portfolio of blue-chip clients. Our work is spunky, break-through and impactful - it speaks for itself. Our people are well trained, motivated and focused. This is why we get the results that we do. This is also why the world‘s most respected brands choose to retain us", adds Kavita Lakhani, Vice President, LINOpinion.

LINOpinion has also bagged several cross border brands like the Coal & Oil group, Dubai, Underwriter‘s Laboratories, Chicago and Promethean [learning technologies] from the U.K. With LINOpinion‘s imminent foray into overseas markets, the agency has geared itself for larger challenges.

MUMBAI: Amrita TV has lined up a bouquet of exclusive programmes for the Vishu festival(April 14), which marks the beginning of the new year for Keralites across the world.Vishu also marks the third Anniversary for the channel which commenced telecast on 14 April,2005

The Vishu-eve programmes on April 13 showcase the just-held 4th Amrita Film Awards,wherein Awards based on public voting were presented in 16 categories of film making.As is the tradition in each of its Annual Film Awards,this year also Lifetime Achievement Award was given to music maestro, Dakshinamurthy.Also a posthumous Award was presented to late Bharat Gopi,illustrious actor, for his multi-faceted contribution to Malayalam cinema.The Amrita Film Awards gala nite which will be telecast on 13 April,6.30 pm will feature performances by noted musicians and actors like Naresh Iyer, Mukta,Ramba,Vinith Srinivasan,Shweta comedian Suraaj,interspersed with the Awards presentation.

On 13 itself at 2 pm ,Amrita TV will be telecasting a special Vishu-eve chat show with Vani Jayaram,noted playback singer-- being interviewed by singer,Unni Menon

On Vishu day (April 14),the morning starts with a Live Telecast of "Vishukani" at 6 am from Abhedananda Ashram,followed by a special edition of "Udayamritam"( 7 am) highlighting the traditions and folklore associated with the festival and "Vishugeetangal" at 8.30 am

At 10 am ,the channel will be telecasting the award-winning film "Nottam",featuring Nedumudi Venu and Samvrita Verma followed by a special Vishu Cookery Show on Ambalapuzha Palpaysam,specially shot at Ambalapuzha Sreekrishna Temple(1.30 pm)

The post-lunch Vishu session starts with a programme ( 2 pm) on the famous singer of yesteryears,S.Janaki, in conversation with music director, M.Jayachandran, who has won the Kerala State Awards 2008 for Best Music Director.

In the evening ,Amrita TV is telecasting at 3.30 pm,South India‘s first digital film "Munnamathoral" starring Jayaram,Vineeth,Jyotirmayi,Sherin and Samvrita

Looking back,in the past three years,Amrita TV has cemented its position as an innovative channel known for providing content that is tasteful and differentiated,yet audience-centric and client-attuned

Amrita TV pioneered classy and family-oriented reality shows in Malayalam television with its "Super Star" in mid-2006 .For the past few months,Amrita TV is perhaps the only satellite channel to run four reality shows concurrently, 14 hours a week viz "Super Star Global" ,"Super Dancer Junior","Raga Ratnam Junior" and "Best Citizen Journalist" .And now on the anvil is the actuality show,"Great India Race" and a talent hunt for pairs, "Let‘s Dance". Under its public service initiative, "Send an SMS.Save a Child", the entire SMS revenue from all its reality shows is donated for the benefit of underprivileged children

During its brief existence,Amrita TV has taken the lead in creating content which is not solely dependent on serials and movie fare by focussing on programmes spanning all genres such as News& Features,Culture & Heritage,Mythology,Human Interest,Ecology,Comedy & Satire,Cooking ,Lifestyle et al.

Amrita TV,launched in 2005,as a 24-hour Malayalam,general entertainment & news satellite channel with a global footprint,has been honoured with 26 State Awards for Excellence in Television--the only channel in India to be bestowed with such a recognition in just two years since inception.

MUMBAI: He has been nominated for the Academy Awards 3 times, he has won 5 Golden Globes and winning a Grammy Award has become pass? for him.Bryan Adams is back with a bang with his 11th studio album aptly titled ?11? ? an album featuring signature ballad. Catch the Canadian legend all this month on [v] Chosen One as he talks about his 11th studio album, his new single and his unique tour of 11 countries in 11 days.

With tracks like I Thought I?d Seen Everything, Oxygen and Broken Wings in his new release, Bryan is here again to strike on the hearts of million fans across the world. Using his singing abilities to raise funds for various social causes, Bryan performed at benefit concerts ranging from the Tsunami and Earthquake to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to name a few.

After a hiatus of 3 years, Bryan?s brand new album will surely hit the chart busters! So catch your favourite artist through April 2008 only on Channel [v] from Sunday 13 April, 2008, 6 pm onwards for some exclusive and entertaining information on Bryan Adams.

MUMBAI: A rejuvenated West Indies side will hope to build upon their fantastic win in the second Test match against Sri Lanka when the two teams clash for the three-match One Day International series starting Thursday, April 10.

The two teams, after drawing the two-Test series 1-1, will now view the ODI series as the decider. The Queen?s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, will be the venue for the first two matches of the series (April 10 and Saturday, April 12), followed by the final match on Tuesday, April 15, at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, which will be played under lights.

And Ten Sports, the most watched sports channel in the Sub-continent, will be the exclusive home for the series. Live telecast of the first two matches starts at 6:45 pm IST, while the day-night match starts from 11:45 pm IST.

West Indies hopes will be boosted not only by the win, but also by the form of their frontline batsmen, including second Test hero Ramnaresh Sarawan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and most importantly, skipper Chris Gayle on top of the order. And to add to their advantage, Sri Lanka will be without the services of world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan and explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya, both of whom were not picked up for the one-dayers.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene will definitely look to clinch the series and return on a winning note. His team did well to win the first Test match ? their first Test win in the Caribbean ? but a second-inning batting slump put paid to their hopes of winning their first-ever Test series in the West Indies.