Mumbai: Smaaash, a home to highly immersive and interactive gaming simulators, gave its valued customers an opportunity to play with the ‘Legend of cricket – Sachin Tendulkar’ at their happening recreational destination in Mumbai. It was a day that will remain forever in the memories of 125 blasters present at Smaaash, who got an opportunity to interact with Sachin Tendulkar. The kids were mentored by the Master Blaster, who explained to them the nuances of the game and spoke to them about the role of technology in improving one’s game.

Smaaash has teamed up with Mumbai Indians to launch an exclusive ‘Mumbai Indians Ka Adda’ – an official hangout Lounge for its fans.

The fans that enrolled for the Blaster Tournament, and attained the best average score, further winning the league were selected to meet Sachin Tendulkar at Smaaash. As a part of their customer engagement programme, Smaaash offered the winners of the Blaster Tournament, a golden opportunity to play with the legend himself. The blasters with highest number of scores at the simulation game were selected to interact, play and shake hands with the Master Blaster. Smaaash keeps no stone unturned when it comes to customer engagement and this activity is a live example of their efforts.

On the occasion, Mr. Shripal Morakhia, Chairman & Founder – Smaaash, said, “At Smaaash, we are in a constant endeavor to provide a unique and world-class experience to our customers, with ‘Blaaast with Sachin’ we have given an opportunity to the winners to interact, talk and learn about their favourite game by the Master himself. After having a world-class experience of the game with finest technologies now the winners got a chance play with the finest cricketer in the world.”

Also, Mr. Abhishek Javeri, Vice-Chairman of Smaaash said, “At Smaaash we have the latest in gaming technology and combining this with a sport like cricket makes it an unbeatable combination. The cricket simulator game here is powered with cutting-edge HawkEye technology that allows the batsman to get the actual feel of the game. Apart from this, fans who want to indulge in this game can also pick from the Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack to help them hone their batting skills.”

The Master Blaster himself was overjoyed with the whole experience of sharing tips with the young fans. He said, “The Blaster Tournament is another unique initiative by Smaaash that serves to improve batting skills of youngsters. There has been an overwhelming response to this and it is heartening to see the way they are enthusiastically taking this tournament as a means of improving their game. With their sights set on the grand prize of the BMW, the competition is definitely heating up. It was an incredible experience to play with the winners of Blaster Tournament. I must admit, India has really got good talent in cricket. The cricket simulator games at Smaaash combine the best of India’s favourite sport with cutting-edge technology. With technologically advanced gaming and interactive zone like Smaaash one can not only play the game but enjoy it to the core with actual field like experience with their favourite players.”

He further added, “Apart from just serving as a platform for gaming, the cricket simulator game at Smaaash also helps cricket-lovers to improve their game in a unique way. I am happy that a unique concept is conceived in a place like India which has passionate cricket lovers. Given the popularity of cricket in the country, there is a lot of talent that is waiting to be nurtured and an initiative like the one by Smaaash goes a long way in giving this kind of talent the right direction.”

Smaaash recently launched a limited edition MI card, which offers benefits beyond the current IPL season and through the rest of the year.

MUMBAI: Global Advertisers- India’s premier out-of-home agency has acquired two premium hoarding sites in Bandra. Global’s new hoardings of super size 120x40 are located at Bandra Reclamation, giving an advertiser, larger than life image for their brand. For a successful OOH campaign, location plays a key role, therefore as a media agency Global has taken nothing but the best for their client.

Bandra is Mumbai’s one of the most high profile area: it has Mumbai’s biggest business hub –Bandra Kurla Complex and top celebrities like Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Sachin Tendulkar and many more industry stalwarts reside in Bandra. Making it hot favorite amongst advertisers to penetrate high income class.

These sites are brightly illuminated which grabs the attention of a commuter quickly. They are also situated at a central traffic junction where they will face slow traffic from north, south and west Mumbai. And, most importantly this site will enable advertisers to bring out best of the innovations on large size display.

Sanjeev Gupta, MD, Global Advertisers says that “the hoarding is extremely powerful in nature; thousands of commuter are looking at the billboard day and night. Sectors like Bank, Automobile, Entertainment and Real-estate would get highest benefit from these sites. We at Global always strive hard to give the best solution to our clients in most economical budget and this site is an example for the same.”

NEW DELHI: This weekend, TIMES NOW ? India?s No. 1 general English news channel presents its viewers with a special episode of ?Frankly Speaking?. In a candid interview with TIMES NOW‘s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, India?s God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, discusses his retirement, memorable moments of his career and shares exclusive insights into his personal life.

In the interview Sachin reacts for the first time to statements made by Sunil Gavaskar that state how he has been bowled twice consecutively and how that is a bad sign for the batsman. Sachin responded to the comment saying, ?Sunil Gavaskar has also said positive things about me. When there have been a lot of positive feedback as well, why keep harping only on the negative comments? Ultimately, if I am out, I am out. I can‘t get stuck on one article about me and try to create something that the person is hoping to create out of it. I need to stay focused on the game and constantly keep finding ways to improve myself. There is no stage in which one ceases to learn about cricket. One remains a student of this game for ever.

On being asked about his plans for retirement, Sachin shared, ?I am 39 and I don‘t think I have plenty of cricket left in me. But it depends on my frame of mind and my physical ability to deliver. At this stage, I don‘t think I will be playing the next World Cup.?

Commenting on the match versus Pakistan in 2004 where he hit 194 not out when the match was declared, Sachin shared, ?I was asked a question in a press conference just after the match if I was surprised by the declaration. I said yes. Then I was asked if I was disappointed. I said, "Yes, I‘d be lying if I said I wasn‘t disappointed." But that is all that I had said. After the declaration, I got to the dressing room, quietly put my bat aside and sat down. I had my pads on. After a couple of minutes, I washed my face, went up to John Wright, our coach then and said, "I will take some time to get back on the field because my back is a little sore. I will go after a while." That is all that happened.?

Discussing the test match versus Pakistan in 1999 where India lost by 12 runs, Sachin said, ?It was disappointing. Yes I cried. I felt bad because we were so close to winning the match but couldn‘t cross the final hurdle. I have to admit that I was not able to receive the Man of the Match award then because I was in tears.?

Responding to accusations about playing the game only to continue commercial endorsements associated with him, Sachin said, ?My manager tells me that there were a couple of articles about this issue. As a matter of fact, there was an article in The Economic Times? I‘d call this irresponsible journalism by a journalist who has vested interests.?

Mumbai: Dr. B R Ambedkar was voted as the undisputed ?Greatest Indian? in the much anticipated quest spearheaded by HISTORY TV18 and CNN IBN. After weeks of fervent debate and speculation, the series culminated in a grand finale with eminent luminaries like Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, and IBN18 Editor in Chief Rajdeep Sardesai among others

The father of the constitution received an overwhelming majority of the nearly 2 crore votes cast since the launch of the initiative. He also garnered the second highest Jury votes in the 3 pronged process which gives equal weightage to the popular vote, a jury and an on-ground poll. Other ?Greats? in the Top 10 list included eminent Indians across its 65 years from Jawaharlal Nehru to Mother Teresa to Sachin Tendulkar. The voting created phenomenal buzz in popular social media networks ?which was used actively by various fan groups to drive voting, besides trending regularly on Twitter.

The grand finale, featuring some of the best known names, was replete with interesting anecdotes and incidents related to the ?Greats?. Besides discussion, it was also an occasion of celebration: The audience was mesmerized by the haunting voice of Kailash Kher singing his popular numbers like ?Teri Dewaani?, ?Yuhi Chala Chal Rahi? amongst others. Echoing the sentiment of all present, Amitabh Bachchan blogged about the event saying, ?Learning about these stalwarts in their fields, their contribution towards society and the country, the little and interesting anecdotes connected with them and what other greats thought of them. (All) in all a most substantial evening, one that is not encountered often.?

Commenting on initiative, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief IBN18 Network said ?We?re overjoyed that this series has captured the nation?s imagination and are truly inspired by the levels of interest and debate generated. It?s great that figures from our past continue to inspire such a passionate response and we are happy to have played a small role in helping understand them better.?

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Chacko, President, A+E Networks | TV18, stated, ?HISTORY TV18?s attempt has been to create interest across generations in the subject in an informal and entertaining way. This partnership with CNN IBN enables HISTORY TV18 to bring forth the inspiring figures over the years, who have had the maximum impact on the country?s present and future. India has always been identified as a cricket and Bollywood crazy nation, so it feels heartening to find nation builders and leaders topping the list, proving that the poll hit the right chord with people who?ve clearly realised its true purpose- to vote for iconic Great Indians who have impacted lives?

Myleeta Aga, General Manager & Creative Head of BBC Worldwide Productions India, said ?BBC Worldwide India is thrilled to have partnered with HISTORY TV18 and CNN IBN to bring the BBC format "The Greatest Indian" to the Indian audience. It has been a fantastic collaboration that culminated in a Grand Finale that we produced together and brought into focus inspiring Indians including Mother Teresa, Dr. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru. The series has broken records emulating the success of the series worldover.?

The entire process, one of the most thorough and meticulous in the industry, was audited by Grant Thornton. Along with the nationwide poll, equal weightage will be given to the jury?s selection as well as a separate market research poll conducted by The Nielsen Company.

The Grand Finale will be telecast at 14th Aug, 7PM and 15th Aug, 9PM on HISTORY TV18 and 14th Aug, 9PM and 15th Aug, 7PM on CNN IBN.

MUMBAI: NDTV- Coca-Cola India along with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and campaign partners UN-Habitat, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), Tata Teleservices, Pearson Foundation and Sulabh International, today celebrated the completion of the 100th school under the ?Support My School? initiative. Joining Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar the campaign ambassador for the ?NDTV- Coca-Cola Support My School?, were NDTV Group CEO Vikram Chandra and Atul Singh, President and CEO Coca-Cola India and South West Asia.

?NDTV- Coca-Cola Support My School? campaign was initiated in January 2011 with a vision to address issues such as access to drinking water, sanitation and infrastructure facilities in schools and to create healthy, active and happy environment at schools. The campaign has touched the lives of over 43,000 children across 10 states in India, while helping to significantly reduce dropouts and absenteeism and also increase enrolments in the revitalized schools.

On the occasion, Campaign Ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar said, "This is my first century away from cricket and a very happy one. I am honored to be associated with this inspiring campaign that is committed to provide the right infrastructure to keep children happy in schools. Partnerships are always key to success and we have been able to work together towards building better facilities and healthy school environments. Reaching the milestone of the 100th revitalized school is a proud and joyous occasion for us and I would like to congratulate all our campaign partners for this wonderful achievement."

Speaking about this, Mr. Vikram Chandra, Group CEO & Executive Director, NDTV said, ?The Support My School initiative has been a path breaking one and has helped change the lives of more than 43,000 children. The response we have received from around the country has been inspiring for all of us, and I thank all those who have come forward. Special thanks, of course, to the Master himself - Sachin Tendulkar! I would have never dreamt of playing cricket with him.?

Speaking at the event, Mr. Atul Singh, President and CEO, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, said, ?Education is the basis of social change. With the help of several partners and with Sachin leading it from the front, we started the Support My School campaign last year. We are pleased to have revitalized 100 schools so far, but the mission has just begun. Every child has the right to go to school and this is one movement where I urge everyone to join hands. We would like to thank all our partners and donors, especially Sachin, for his commitment and efforts throughout this campaign.?

Research shows that inadequate infrastructure, especially sanitation, accelerates the dropout rates, especially among girls in rural areas. ?NDTV- Coca-Cola Support My School? is a unique mass movement that attempts to sensitize people and give them an opportunity to make a difference by contributing towards the transformation of schools. The first phase of the campaign not only generated awareness about such issues but also created 100 model schools spread across10 different states by providing them with proper infrastructural and sanitation facilities.

Elements of the campaign include provision of improved access to water, appropriate sanitation facilities for girls and boys, improvement in the overall infrastructure and environment, provision for sports and recreation facilities such as cricket, badminton & basketball courts, swings etc and recharging groundwater through rainwater harvesting. The campaign tied up with partners such as Pearson Foundation who provided library and teacher training facilities. Tata Teleservices also joined the campaign through project learning, whereby computers and internet services were installed in the schools covered under the campaign.

Congratulating Coca-Cola and the campaign partners, Principal, Priyadarshan School, Mumbai, said, ?We are proud to be the 100th school that has been transformed under the ?Support My School? campaign. This ground breaking initiative has paved the way for our children to be active both physically and mentally and work towards achieving their dreams. We are delighted to have Mr. Sachin Tendulkar and Mr Atul Singh visiting our school on this occasion. Their interaction with the children here was truly inspiring.?

Core activities undertaken as a part of this campaign include:

? Provision of improved access to water

? Appropriate sanitation facility for girls and boys

? Improvement in the overall infrastructure and environment

? Provision for sports and recreation facilities and

? Recharging groundwater through rainwater harvesting

? Libraries and Teacher Training- led by Pearson Foundation

? Computer and Internet access- led by Tata Teleservices