News Broadcasting
Cartoon Network to create new toon – gets viewers into the act
MUMBAI: So far, it has sourced content from Indian animation companies and has begun to speak Hindi at almost all hours of the day. Now, Cartoon Network takes the localisation fetish to new heights.
In an innovative initiative timed to coincide with the rollout of conditional access in the country, Cartoon Network has announced the first interactive contest that will enable viewers to create a cartoon character to be developed into an animation short for the channel. The show in turn will be produced by a local Indian company.
For eight weeks beginning this month, Cartoon Network will visit over 600,000 kids in 600 schools in six cities, selling the Next Big Toon concept, enticing children to pick up pen and paper and apply their minds to creating a unique cartoon character, which could be man, animal, robot or just about anything. Help for the accompanying drawings and storyboard will be available at the channel’s website www.cartoonnetworkindia.com.
Among the panel of art experts and teachers culled from around the country, is former UTV Toons president Ram Mohan. Turner Entertainment Network’s senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond says a local Indian animation company will also be given the charge of producing the one off animation short that will be aired on the channel in December 2003.
“The idea,” says Diamond, “is to balance entertainment with a positive way of thinking.” Consequently, an integrated marketing plan spanning on-air, online and on-ground events will support the promotion, with associate sponsor Hewlett Packard providing its outlets for participants to download forms, practise their drawings and learn the rudiments of creating an animation character. The Network will also air special interstitials giving tips to help kids create their toon star.
While the targeted age group for the competition is the one between eight and 14, Diamond says with the varied viewership of the channel, even elders watching Cartoon Network are eligible to participate. Five runners up will also have their moment of glory with vignettes on the channel and consolation prizes of a HP Compaq personal computer. The Network has already tied in Joyco as the presenting sponsor for Next Big Toon, while Laughing Cow Cheese, HP Compaq, Kellogg’s Chocos and Atlas Cycles are the associate sponsors.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
