MUMBAI: The accolades continue to pour in for Star India?s path-breaking Sunday morning Aamir Khan helmed social initiative and TV programme? Satyamev Jaayte (SMJ). Earlier this month, it was awarded the best programme with a social message Indian Telly Awards. Other awards that SMJ has taken home include: one by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the other by CNN-IBN in 2012.

And now it has been conferred the Mumbai Press Club?s prestigious RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2013.

The special award was handed out to Star India CEO Uday Shankar for featuring gutsy journalism on a general entertainment channel. The award recognizes SMJ?s remarkable contribution in highlighting social issues that continue to plague modern India and to help create public awareness through the pioneering TV program.

?It is extremely gratifying to receive this recognition. I am honoured and humbled. Satyamev Jayate was our modest attempt to bring to the fore many important challenges that modern India continues to grapple with,? says Shankar. ?It was an initiative to offer a public platform to issues that concern all Indians. While I am delighted to see these efforts being recognized, the focus should continue to be on the issues and all those working to make a difference.?

The Hindu former editior-in-chief N. Ram and author-journalist-activist KuldipNayar were honoured with the RedInk Lifetime Achievement Award by chief guest Maharashtra governor K Sankarannarayanan.

Veteran journalists and senior editors from across the length and breadth of the country graced the evening that was hosted by renowned columnist Bachi Karkaria in her traditional wit.

I&B minister Manish Tewari called for robust self regulation, at the Red Ink Awards 2013

I&B minister Manish Tewari, Uday Shankar, and N. Ram participated in an engaging panel discussion on ?Keeping Media Free and Fair? that was moderated by television anchor Arnab Goswami.

The RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism by the Mumbai Press Club honour and celebrate good journalism in India to encourage values of fearlessness and ethical writing. Journalists were rewarded in nine categories based on votes by an eminent panel of judges including Kumar Ketkar, Pritish Nandy, Minhaz Merchant, Shirish Inamdar, Hussain Zaidi, Khalid Mohammad, Colvyn Harris and Rahul Bose.

NEW DELHI: The financial woes of the Prasar Bharati continue well into the current financial year. For the nine months ended 31 December 2012, the pubcaster has seen a Rs 3.23 billion drop in revenues despite having simulcast shows from private satellite broadcasters like Star Plus? Aamir Khan-anchored Satyamev Jayate and Zee TV?s Ramayan. The Olympics in July also did not help shore up the revenues this fiscal.

Prasar Bharati has reported a revenue of Rs 10.86 billion for the first nine months of the fiscal, down from Rs 14.09 billion a year ago.

The loss, however, has narrowed as the pubcaster has drastically reduced its costs. The expenditure incurred by Prasar Bharati for the nine months ended December 2012 was Rs 23.95 billion compared to Rs 33.40 billion a year ago.
 
The Government had in September last year approved a Financial Restructuring package for Prasar Bharati comprising 100 per cent salary support for five years, waiver of accumulated government debt, space and spectrum charges etc.

The increase in expenditure during the past few years has been primarily due to the implementation of various recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission.

MUMBAI: Star India CEO Uday Shankar and Aamir Khan will be honoured by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Government of India, in recognition of their efforts to create awareness against social discrimination through `Satyamev Jayate.?

The commission will felicitate Shankar and Khan at an award function being organised to mark the International Valmiki Day in New Delhi on 18 October.

Shankar said, "Satyamev Jayate was a natural evolution of content, given Star?s steadfast and widening focus on socially relevant issues. This recognition will spur us to advance in this path of leveraging the power of TV to act as a change agent."

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Social, Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit and other political and civil society leaders who have worked for the cause of social equality will attend the awards function.

Star said in a short span, the show questioned social mores, helped shape mindsets and transcended borders to top popularity charts across the globe. It left an imprint on the minds of people with compelling tales from everyday life.

Satyamev Jayate was a narrative of real stories from across India that touched and inspired millions of people.

NEW DELHI: The Women and Child Development Ministry has described the efforts being made by actor Aamir Khan in the campaign against malnutrition as "laudable and highly appreciated".

In a statement, the Ministry has denied as "factually incorrect and a misrepresentation" media reports about Khan?s role in the Information Education & Communication (IEC) campaign against malnutrition, stating "Aamir Khan puts the Government on hold".

The Ministry said Khan is a valued personality and a key figure in this campaign against malnutrition and has been providing his services without charging any money from Government for the noble cause.

Khan had got involved with the cause while making his series ?Satyamev Jayate? for Star Plus which was simulcast on Doordarshan.

NEW DELHI: The flag-hoisting ceremony by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his subsequent address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort will be telecast live tomorrow morning from 7 am on Doordarshan?s national channel DD One and also on the primary channels of All India Radio (AIR).

Later at 8.30 am, the message of the Governor and Chief Minister of Delhi will be telecast by DD 1.

On 16 August, DD 1 will telecast a report on the Independence Day ceremonies all over the country from 8.30 am.

DD 1 will simulcast Satyamev Jayate ka Safar: Aamir Khan Show on 15 August at 11 am, repeat telecast of which will air on 16 August at 9.30 am.

History TV18 will telecast tomorrow evening at 7 pm ?Asia at War?, a documentary on the Rani of Jhansi regiment of the Indian National Army formed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose comprising expatriate women living in Malaysia and Singapore at a time during the World War II when Japan was the enemy. Idealistic and young, these women left jobs in rubber plantations to join his army in a fight to end British colonialism in India. The Rani of Jhansi regiment was the only regiment outside of the USSR made up entirely of women. Although they participated in military and combat training, ultimately these women served as nurses following the retreat of the INA after the disastrous siege of Imphal.