News Broadcasting
ABP Asmita concludes its fifth edition of Asmita Sanman Puraskar 2023
Mumbai: ABP Asmita, a regional news channel in Gujarat, recently hosted the fifth edition of its Asmita Sanman Puraskar 2023 to commemorate the incredible diversity of talents in the state and celebrate the spirit of excellence and social responsibility.
The event highlighted the potential of Gujarat, both in terms of its people and its commitment to progress. The attendees included entrepreneurs including social entrepreneurs, business leaders, and political figures, who shared their stories of success and vision for the future.
During the event, ABP Asmita honoured the exemplary achievements of Gujaratis in various fields such as education, culture, literature, music, cinema, sports, social services, and business. The event was made even more special by the presence of esteemed dignitaries such as chief minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, Finance minister of Gujarat Kanubhai Desai, Industry MSME civil aviation, labour & employment, Gujarat cabinet minister Balwant Singh, Education Minister of Gujarat Kuber Dindor, Harsh Sanghavi, Home Minister of Gujarat Harsh Sanghavi and Mukesh Patel, State for Forest & Environment, Climate Change, Water Resources & Water Supply minister Mukesh Patel.
The Asmita Sanman Puraskar 2023 was presented to nine distinguished personalities. Parimal Dhirajlal Nathwani, an Indian politician and industrialist, was honoured with the Maha Sanman for his exceptional work towards the Gujarati community. Rajnikant Devidas UPL Ltd. founder and chairman was awarded the Asmita Sanman Puraskar for Business for his contribution towards the growth of the country.
Hindi and Gujarati singer Manhar Udhas, was honoured with the Asmita Sanman Puraskar for Music for his contribution to the Gujarati music community and for singing for over 300 films of different languages. Karsan Ghavri, a former Indian cricketer, was awarded the Asmita Sanman Puraskar for Sports for bringing glory to Indian cricket.
Singer Praful Dave, was presented with the Asmita Sanman Puraskar for Culture for lending his voice to over 7000+ Gujarati songs. Gandhian social worker, and a politician Malji Bhai Desai, was honoured with the award for promoting the economic and educational development of the rural population of Gujarat.
Gujarati theatre artist Yazdi Naoshriwan Karanjia received the Asmita Sanman Puraskar for Literature for his several years of service in the field of the arts.
Sunil Damor received the Asmita Sanman Puraskar for Social Service who made a rare touching gesture by deciding to donate his infant’s body for medical studies in tribal dominated Dahod district in Central Gujarat. Last but not least, Indian actor Dilip Joshi, was honoured with the Asmita Sanman Puraskar for Cinema for his outstanding contribution to the film industry.
ABP Asmita is committed to going a long way in promoting and celebrating talents in Gujarat, and in encouraging citizens to rise above the ordinary and be responsible members of the society.
This year’s edition of the Asmita Sanman Puraskar was co-presented by Navratna Oil and Vikram Tea, and co-powered by Vasant Masala, Little Angel Diaper, Rungta Steel TMT Bar and Tirupati Cottonseed Oil. The Associate Partner was Rentio Toor Dal while the event was Supported by Sankad Aath and The School of Science. Shree Nandan Courier Ltd. was the Courier Partner and ABP Live was the Digital Partner.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
