GECs
Bournvita Quiz Contests, longest running quiz show on Indian TV, airs 350th episode Sunday
MUMBAI: Bournvita Quiz Contest (BQC), the name the name that immediately comes to mind when we think of quizzing for school students, will air its 350th episode on Zee TV this Sunday, according to a press release.
BQC, which is already the longest running quiz show in the world, will mark yet another milestone with the telecast of its 350th episode on Zee TV on Sunday, 11 February.
It is worth noting that BQC took the “Asian Television Awards 2000” runners up prize for best game show at a glittering award ceremony held in Singapore in December 2000.
Since its inception on 5 June 1994, the quiz show has become a major television event spanning over 2,500 schools in 66 cities spread across the length and breadth of the country and six countries around the globe. BQC primarily aims not just to sharpen quizzing skills, but to offer a variety of information for the all-round development of students. Conceptually, BQC revolves around the reading habits of young students, which we still aim in today’s E-commerce world.
The mastermind behind this quizzing concept is Derek O’Brein “who almost single-handedly has made quizzing into the nation’s third most popular and liked spectator event after one-day cricket.”
The 350th episode will have Jamnabai School – Mumbai, Kerala Samajam School- Jamshedpur, Indian School Ghala – Muscat and finally, Bal Bhawan – Bhopal participating.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
