News Broadcasting
It’s family time this Diwali
In this world of cut-throat competition where life is full of struggles and work for the people in the corporate world, Diwali is a moment of relief. The lights of Diwali doesn’t just spread brightness around but also illuminates their inner self as they get a chance to have family time. Few corporate head honchos talk about their plans this Diwali and talk about their memorable Diwali moments.
I am spending time with my family and friends but I won’t be bursting any crackers as I am against it. Diwali is a festival of lights and not noise.
One of the fondest memories of Diwali is when I once made sweets and kandil at home and kept it in a way that everybody could see it. These days we usually buy sweets from outside.
Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors
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On Diwali, everybody is at home and if something happens we have to be on our toes. And thus, I would be working on Diwali. I remember how as a kid I used to wake up early morning at 4.00-4.30 and be the first one to burst crackers. Later, when I became a cable guy, it was to go and adjust the CNN dish. Arvind Prabhoo, president, MCOF (Maharashtra Cable Operators Association) |
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Festivals are the best time to be at home and with the family. I too will be home and play with my children and grandchildren. On Diwali, we’ll have a puja and then we would burst crackers. Every year, we plan a family get together to celebrate the festival of lights. Even this year, the families of my three brothers and few colleagues will come to my home to celebrate the festival. The best Diwali in my life was in 2004 when my daughter got married just before Diwali. M Rajendran, MD, Raj network |
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This Diwali, I will praying to the almighty that light enters many lives and the earth becomes harmonised. I will also be lighting lamps and celebrating with friends. I have a hilarious memory of Diwali. When I was a seven year old, a rocket cracker flew into our house and went inside our landlord’s lungi, who was standing on the top floor balcony. Thankfully, the rocket had already burst earlier. Swapna Sundari, COO, Raj Network (Telugu market) |
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For me the festival of lights has always been about spending some quality time with family, friends and relatives. Enjoying food and sweets, and of course burst a few crackers. But this time around, Diwali will be even more special as I will get to spend time with my twin daughters who are two years old and are learning everything slowly. It is going to be a really special time with them. Krishna Desai, network head, Kids Entertainment, India, Turner International |
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I always remember Diwali as the festival when we spent time with close friends and family, burst lots of crackers and enjoy the variety of sweets on offer. However, this time around, Diwali will be a quiet affair. I will spend time with my family and kids. Rohit Lamba, head, network distribution, business development & affiliate sales, Times Global Broadcasting Company Limited |
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Well, Diwali, the festival of lights, is a great occasion to sit back and spend time with family and friends. But, I also take this opportunity to rethink on key issues relating to my professional and personal life. Sandeep Arora, vice president, sales – India & SAARC Service Provider (Telco), Cisco Systems |
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I remember how as a kid Diwali used to be a time when the entire family got together and spent time with each-other. Everyone used to be excited as this was a time to buy new clothes and eat great food. But now I feel we need to be conscious about not adding to the already polluted environment by bursting crackers. It would be best to celebrate a noise free Diwali and have fun too. Uday Singh, managing director, Motion Picture Association (India) |
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We celebrated the second anniversary of Helios on 1 November. Diwali has become a special event for us because it brings with it double celebrations. Another reason I love Diwali is because I am a big gambler and I love playing cards. While I play cards almost every weekend, Diwali gives me an opportunity to play the game with more fervor. Divya Radhakrishnan, managing director, Helios Media |
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Diwali is a family affair for me. Whenever possible, I try to visit my hometown where my parents live and we light lamps, burst crackers with the children. My parents usually shuttle between Nanital and Bombay, so when they are in Bombay it becomes much easier for us. But we always make a point to be together on Diwali. Since childhood it has been a complete family affair and I looked forward to the festival. I try to keep it like that. We avoid going out and try to be together. Ashish Bhasin, chairman India and CEO South East Asia, Aegis Group |
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Diwali is all about puja, bhajan and family time. Usually we go out every year, but this time we will be celebrating the festival with relatives and close friends. Diwali is much more than a holiday as it is also the beginning of the new year for Hindus. For Gujaratris, it’s a special occasion, to say saal-mubarak. For us, these two days are very important and auspicious. Diwali is the occasion where you can greet people with not only love and affection but also with gifts and mitthai. It is an occasion to stop worrying about the calorie counts and eat as many sweets as you want to. It is a colourful occasion and very lively atmosphere. J.D Majethia, producer and actor/director, Hats Off Productions |
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When we were kids we used to celebrate Diwali with lots of crackers, but now the festival is much more than bursting crackers. It is one occasion when we get together with family and get a little religious. It is so hectic in Mumbai that socialising becomes a little difficult. This is a day for extended family get together. Ravi Mansukhani, CEO, Incable |
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The festival is for family and friends. It is about lots of food and playing cards. This year, I will celebrate the festival with my family and friends in Mumbai first and then head to Delhi to meet my parents. My kids are excited to be with their grandparents this Diwali. The fondest childhood memory of Diwali is how we wanted to be the one to burst the longest ladi in the neighbourhood along with loads of other fireworks. Though with time I have grown to become more eco-friendly and thus fireworks now is a big ‘No no’. Gaurav Gandhi, group COO, IndiaCast |
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Diwali for me is a day which is spent well with family, performing puja and playing teen patti. There was a time when I used to burst a lot of crackers. But once I grew up I realised how annoying it could be for others, so I don’t burst crackers anymore, but yes I have to admit that it used to be great fun bursting crackers. Ferzad Palia, senior VP & GM, English entertainment, Viacom18 Media |
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My (escape) plan for Diwali is to drive down to the peace and quiet of Goa. The most memorable Diwali for me was last year when I celebrated the festival with my niece and nephew in North Korea. They had enough fireworks to give North Korea an inferiority complex. Anil Kakkar, founder/chief creative officer, Gasoline |
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
