Factual
Discovery Channel partners with WWF- India for Earth Hour 2016
MUMBAI Discovery Channel has pledged its support to Earth Hour 2016 with its partnership with WWF-India to help raise awareness on the importance of climate change and renewable resources to inspire people to move to solar. The promotional partnership will be leveraged through Discovery’s network in India spanning on-air, digital and social media platforms.
Earth Hour is the world’s biggest celebration where people come together for the planet. On the last Saturday of every March, millions of people across the globe unite in a stunning show of support to raise awareness about climate change. This year, Earth Hour will be observed on Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 8:30 PM-9:30 PM.
Earth Hour 2016 is calling on citizens across the country to switch off non-essential lights for the hour and go solar. Supporting the government’s pledge to move toward renewable energy, the campaign is focusing on the benefits of renewable energy for a sustainable and greener future. Blessed with approximately 300 clear sunny days, India has a potential to harness 5,000 trillion kWh of energy per year, much more than the country’s total annual energy requirement.
WWF-India marketing and communication director Himanshu Pandey said, “Earth Hour is a global campaign by WWF that not only has massive outreach but has also led to action across the world. We believe that our association with Discovery will provide us a platform to reach more people and make them more responsible towards the planet. The association with the leading television network will strengthen the Earth Hour initiative to draw attention to conservation issues that we face as a planet.”
In India, the Earth Hour campaign has received unprecedented support, demonstrated by participation in over 150 cities by several state and city governments, the armed forces, public and private sector companies, celebrities and individuals. Lights at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the prime minister’s residence, residences of chief ministers and landmark monuments like the India Gate, the Gateway of India, the Howrah Bridge etc. have been switched off every year in support of the movement.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
