News Broadcasting
Navbharat Ka Mahakumbh charts India’s cultural & economic roadmap
MUMBAI: If spirituality meets strategy, and tradition fuels transformation, then ‘Navbharat Ka Mahakumbh’ was the place to be. Hosted by Times Now Navbharat, the conclave turned Lucknow into the epicentre of discussions on culture, economy, and governance, proving once again that India’s past and future walk hand in hand. With a power-packed lineup of political leaders, industry stalwarts, and spiritual icons, the event placed the Mahakumbh’s global significance under the spotlight while outlining a vision for India’s growth.
From policy and infrastructure to tourism and faith, the conclave unpacked the synergy between tradition and modernity. The event featured Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, tourism minister Jaiveer Singh, and spiritual leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, among other dignitaries. With high-impact discussions, the conclave provided a blueprint for cultural diplomacy, economic advancement, and sustainable development.
Addressing the audience, Adityanath emphasised how India’s rise as a global power is deeply tied to its cultural and spiritual strength. He pointed to the Mahakumbh’s economic impact and the state’s commitment to reviving sacred sites, stating, “Sambhal, once plagued by power theft, now stands as a beacon of historical and religious significance. Our government is dedicated to reviving these sacred sites—not just as places of worship but as symbols of India’s rich legacy.”
On India’s global cultural influence, he remarked, “The President of Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, proudly acknowledges his Indian ancestry. Indian leaders should take inspiration from this rather than dividing communities through appeasement politics. The Indian Constitution ensures justice and equality, and our government upholds ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ as its guiding principle.”
Discussing infrastructure advancements, Adityanath highlighted major developments ahead of Mahakumbh 2025, including 14 new underpasses and flyovers, expansion of the civil terminal, and 5,000 additional acres allocated for parking.
With 16 crore devotees already taking the sacred dip at the Sangam, he called it a “moment of global faith and unity”—even adding a cheeky political jab, “Even those who once dismissed India’s traditions are now taking the holy dip. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge may not be here yet, but he will come sooner or later.”
Maurya dismissed claims that the Mahakumbh was a political spectacle, emphasising its centuries-old spiritual significance. He criticised past administrations, stating, “The Kumbh is not a BJP event—it is an event of faith. Unlike in 2013, when mismanagement plagued the festival, this government has ensured its smooth execution under PM Modi and CM Yogi’s leadership.”
Singh highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s rise as a global spiritual tourism hub, stating, “What was once a gathering of saints is now a global celebration. The world is watching how Uttar Pradesh manages this massive event with precision and peace. Our vision goes beyond Mahakumbh—we are driving long-term investments in eco-tourism, spiritual tourism, and rural tourism to create sustainable growth.”
The event wrapped up with discussions on how governance, spirituality, and industry can fuel India’s economic and cultural aspirations. As Uttar Pradesh cements its position as a spiritual and economic powerhouse, the Mahakumbh is proving to be more than a festival—it is a movement redefining India’s identity on the world stage.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to air live counting day coverage for five state election results on May 4
The channel is rolling out its biggest election coverage machinery yet for results day on 4th May
NOIDA: The votes have been cast. Now comes the reckoning. CNN-News18 is pulling out all the stops for results day on 4th May, when counting begins across five battleground states — West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry — in what promises to be one of the most closely watched electoral verdicts in recent memory.
The channel’s coverage, titled Battle for the States: The Verdict, kicks off at 7am and runs through the day across linear TV, connected television and YouTube. It is the culmination of CNN-News18’s multi-format editorial initiative, Battle for the States, which has tracked the polls from the beginning under the theme Road to Power.
At the operational heart of the coverage will be the Live Results Hub, the channel’s central command centre built to collate, verify and process real-time data flowing in from reporters stationed at counting centres across constituencies. The hub combines newsroom intelligence, analytics and on-the-ground reporting to deliver what the channel promises will be the fastest and most accurate results coverage in English news.
Leading the on-air charge will be primetime anchors Rahul Shivshankar, Anand Narasimhan, Aman Sharma, Nabila Jamal and Shivani Gupta. They will be joined by a wide panel of commentators including author Chetan Bhagat; GVL Narasimha Rao, senior leader of the BJP; Smita Prakash, editor of ANI; activist Saira Shah Halim; political analyst Sumanth C Raman; Abhijit Iyer Mitra, senior fellow at IPCS; Amitabh Tiwari, founder of VoteVibe; columnist Abhijit Majumdar; Nalin Mehta, managing editor of MoneyControl; political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla; senior journalist Subir Bhaumik; and political analyst Manojit Mandal.
Shivshankar, who serves as editorial affairs director at CNN-News18, set out the stakes plainly. “Counting day is one of the most watched events in the electoral cycle, where speed and credibility are tested in real time,” he said. “Battle for the States: The Verdict is built on that promise, combining ground reporting, sharp analysis and cutting-edge election technology to give viewers the clearest and fastest route to the verdict. On May 4, CNN-News18 will once again be the nation’s most trusted channel to witness democracy in action.”
Smriti Mehra, chief executive of English and Business News at Network18, framed the coverage in broader terms. “Elections are defining national events, and audiences turn to brands they trust in moments that matter,” she said. “CNN-News18 has consistently led from the front in every election coverage, and this special programming reflects the scale of our ambition and editorial strength.”
The channel has form here. It claims to have been India’s most preferred English news destination for election results for the past 20 years, covering everything from the 2024 general elections to the Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar and BMC polls on the back of what it calls an “Always First, Always Right” record. Five states, one day, and a nation waiting for answers. The clock starts at 7am on 4th May.
