News Broadcasting
BBC World re-launches travel programme ‘Fastrack’
MUMBAI: BBC World’s weekly travel programme Fast:track will be re-launched with a new look, title graphics and presenters on 14 January. Fronting the programme will be BBC presenters Thalia Pellegrini and Rajan Datar.
The new fast:track has been designed to appeal to BBC World’s viewers who travel frequently for both business and leisure. The programme will feature reports from leading industry experts and a variety of new travel segments.
The show’s producer Mike London says, “Even if you are not a regular flyer, issues like carbon emissions and security affect us all and that’s why the travel industry is under the spotlight like never before. The new look fast:track will put consumers and travellers at the heart of its reporting. We will look at how important issues such as the rise in oil prices and ever-congested air spaces affect our viewers.” Mike added, “Our new presenters Rajan Datar and Thalia Pellegrini have been chosen not just because of their travel backgrounds, but because of their experience in business and consumer journalism, making them the perfect people to host the new look show. “
New segments in the programme will include:
The ‘Smart Mind’ strand – This is a series of vignettes featuring mind and body coach, Mark Bailey. With a background in therapy, physical training and kinesiology, he helps executives and performers from around the globe to get more out of their brain and body. On fast:track, he will share some of his most powerful techniques to help viewers stay on top of their game whether they are on the road or in the office.
‘Flying Facts’ – This is a series of vignettes that should answer all those perplexing questions about flying. Filmed onboard a transatlantic flight, fast:track enlisted an aviation expert to answer seemingly basic questions that most travellers are afraid to ask. “What does cross check mean?” and “Why do they always switch the lights off when landing at night?” are just two of the common flight terms that travellers hear all the time, but don’t always understand. ‘Flying Facts’ will bring you the answers!
’24 Hours In’ This is a segment targetted at the business traveller. This five-minute feature will be a guide for travellers who have a day or two to spend in a town or city. The programme will also feature a ‘what to do’ guide, featuring ideas ranging from watching an eclipse in Madagascar to catching the mid season sales in Manhattan.
Travel gadget enthusiasts will also be well catered for with BBC travel writer Ben Silburn providing a monthly run down of the latest travel gadgets, including one high-end gizmo, one mid-range and one bargain basement solution for all travellers.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 to spotlight India’s global rise
PM Modi keynotes two-day event on 27–28 February in New Delhi with ministers, diplomats and icons.
MUMBAI: India’s rise isn’t just making headlines, it’s headlining its own summit, and this time the guest list reads like a global power playlist. News18 Network will host the Rising Bharat Summit 2026, a high-powered thought-leadership forum anchored around the theme “Spotlighting Bharat’s Rise: Driven by Strength Within.” The two-day event kicks off on 27 February 2026 at 10:00 AM in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, strategists, innovators, and cultural icons for conversations that aim to define India’s confident, self-assured role on the world stage.
Prime minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address, setting the tone for discussions on economic momentum, geopolitical positioning, and long-term aspirations for the decade ahead.
The ministerial lineup includes Piyush Goyal (Commerce and Industry), Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & IT), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Communications & Development of North Eastern Region), and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta.
Global diplomacy and strategic voices feature former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo, ex-UK Chief of defence staff general Sir Nick Carter, former US commerce secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, and ambassadors from Norway (May-Elin Stener), Germany (Philipp Ackermann), and Sweden (Jan Thesleff).
Industry, innovation, and economic perspectives come from veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems Founder & CEO Dr Vishal Sikka, and Deeptech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati.
Defence, technology, and thought leadership include Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar, Apple expert Patrick McGee, military aviation historian Tom Cooper, and defence scholar Adrian Fontanellaz.
Culture, sports, and popular influence bring actor-MP Kangana Ranaut, Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, cricketers Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mithali Raj, plus film stars Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
Broadcast live across News18 Network channels, CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, and streaming platforms from 10:00 am on both days, the summit aims to move beyond headlines and shape deeper narratives around policy, leadership, and innovation at a decisive moment for India’s global trajectory.
In a world watching Bharat’s next moves, this gathering isn’t just talk, it’s the opening scene of a story that’s already rewriting the script.
