News Broadcasting
ABP News puts truth on trial with new show Special Task from August 2
MUMBAI: Truth takes the witness stand every Saturday night, starting 2 August. ABP News is turning up the heat on investigative journalism with the launch of Special Task, a hard-hitting weekly show that promises to shine an unflinching spotlight on India’s hidden truths. Airing every Saturday at 8 PM, the show is hosted by veteran journalist Jagwinder Patial and kicks off its debut with a compelling three-part series titled Operation Beta.
Special Task takes viewers deep into the country’s underbelly exposing systemic cracks, unheard citizen struggles, and overlooked tragedies. With each one-hour episode, the series will serve raw, on-the-ground narratives that challenge comfort zones and demand accountability.
Jagwinder Patial, a name synonymous with fearless reporting, brings over 27 years of field experience to the show. From conflict zones to calamity-hit areas, his work has consistently championed public interest. Patial has been recognised with the Ram Nath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism and the Balraj Sahni National Award, both testaments to his credibility and impact.
The debut series, Operation Beta, promises to be no less than a journalistic raid delving into neglected communities and revealing institutional blind spots. True to its name, Special Task sets out not just to report, but to hold up a mirror to those in power and ask the questions no one else will.
The show is positioned as more than just a programme, it’s a public mission. ABP News has built its editorial reputation on challenging the status quo, and Special Task reinforces that stance by marrying rigorous fieldwork with purpose-driven storytelling.
Whether you’re a news junkie or a casual viewer, this is one assignment you won’t want to skip.
Catch the first episode of Special Task on ABP News at 8 PM on August 2, 2025.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
