News Broadcasting
‘A Suitable Boy’ audio book bags 2 golden Spoken Words
MUMBAI: BBCs audiobook of Vikram Seths novel A Suitable Boy has won two Gold Awards at the 2002 Spoken Words Awards scheme.
It was the only audiobook to win two gold awards, one for drama and the other for best production, states an official release.
Written by Vikram Seth, A Suitable Boy is an epic tale of India during the turbulent period following independence and partition. The audio book was recorded by BBC Audiobooks with an all-Indian cast.
“Audiobooks are a wonderful way of experiencing literary masterpieces. In the UK they are well on their way to the heart of mainstream entertainment and I think the audiobook of Vikram Seths A Suitable Boy may bring spoken word audio to new audiences in India,” BBC Worldwide Head of Africa and South Asia, Monisha Shah is quoted as saying in the release.
BBC Audiobooks raked in 16 more awards in all, including the Gold Award for Publisher of the Year. Other BBC titles winning an award were Goon Again, Dinnerladies 2, Elizabeth, The Century Speaks, Ruby in the Smoke, Our Mutual Friend, Dead Ringers: The Specials, The Amber Spyglass, Snail Eggs and Samphire, Les Miserables, Hymn, Artemis Fowl, The Daleks Masterplan and Talking It Over.
The Awards are run by the Spoken Word Publishing Association and are judged by a panel of independent experts, including journalists, producers, writers and retailers.
A Suitable Boy was the second novel by Calcutta-born Seth, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University and Stanford University. The novel was widely acclaimed and became an international bestseller.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
