News Broadcasting
‘Quest’ goes in search of spirituality in March
Airtimes: Indian Standard Times Saturday, March 25 at 1630hrs Sun, March 26 at 1130am and 1730hrs From the gurus and ashrams of India to New York’s very own brand of spirituality, CNN’s Richard Quest goes in search of inner peace in March’s edition of QUEST.
Despite all of life’s luxury and convenience, people are often overworked, over-stressed and ultimately unfulfilled. Quest talks to his Holiness the Dalai Lama, actress Goldie Hawn, musician Cat Stevens, also known as Yusuf Islam, and cult film director David Lynch to discover how they make their worlds a happier and more peaceful place.
Quest’s journey begins with a pilgrimage to the remote village of Dharamsala in the Himalayan foothills of India, home to the 14th Dalai Lama. His Holiness tells Quest how he manages to cultivate inner peace.
In her apartment 54 floors above Manhattan, New York City, actress Goldie Hawn talks to Quest about becoming a ‘Jew Bu’ – her conversion from Judaism to Buddhism and explains how she found a spiritual path away from Hollywood. Back in London, UK, Quest is captivated by Karen Armstrong’s story. The so-called ‘run-away nun’ broke away from a strict Catholic upbringing to become one of the world’s foremost authors on world religion.
Pop star Cat Stevens, also known Yusuf Islam, tells Quest that God is indispensable to a spiritual life. However according to scientist and prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins, it’s best to look for answers not in heaven, but in the world around us when it comes to inner peace. Quest also hears from cult film director David Lynch, who argues that “a spiritual nirvana lies inside us – all you need to do is ‘dive inside’ through transcendental meditation or TM.”
Quest’s journey ends where it began – in India. Outside the southern city of Bangalore, the Art of Living Foundation is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Over a million dedicated followers travel from all corners of the globe to join in the festivities and pay homage to their spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. To many, Shankar’s blend of philosophy, meditation and breathing exercises make him a messiah. But some sceptics think he is too self-promoting and offers false hope to lost souls. Either way, this modern spiritual movement symbolises a desire for inner peace and the anniversary event promises to be a party that Quest will never forget.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
