News Broadcasting
DD to telecast documentary on Tsunami on 25 December
MUMBAI: On the first anniversary of the natural disaster that affected millions, DD is paying tribute in the form of a documentary directed by Kevin Sim. The film tells the story of the Asian tsunami directly through the experience of those who were deeply affected by it.
Co-produced by FBC Media Pvt. Ltd, the documentary Tsunami: Wave of Disaster will be telecast on 25 December at 10:00 pm. This has been the second co-production between the Mumbai based FBC Media Pvt. Ltd and Diverse with the last project being, Indian Finishing School, for Channel 4, UK.
Powerfully told through individual testimony, Tsunami: Waves Of Disaster unfolds the personal story of the tragedy. It’s as close as one can get, through a documentary, to watching the catastrophe unfold through the eyes of the survivors, states an official release.
With tens of thousands of western tourists enjoying a Christmas on the beach, the most destructive wave in history was just a few hours away. Few people had any clue then of what was about to happen.
Yet for the Onge tribe – on a small island in the Indian Ocean – they knew all was not well. Believing that the earth and the oceans rest on a giant tree, which is sometimes shaken by evil spirits, they are constantly vigilant for signs of impending natural disaster, the release adds.
The Onge trust the natural world and regard natural disasters as proof of God’s displeasure with man. One fisherman notes: “You have an account in the bank, we have one in the sea. It was a great shock that a sea that meant so much to us would do this.”
In Banda Aceh, Indonesia just before eight o’clock local time an earthquake struck. The city of Banda Aceh on the Western tip of Sumatra was just sixty miles from the epicenter. A short time afterwards, one local child recalls: “They shouted, ‘the sea water is coming’ People were screaming and then I saw itI thought doomsday had arrived.” The waters hit whilst he was in the mosque and he held on to the walls with all his might.
In marked contrast, the Onge saw what they thought were signals of impending trouble and headed for the forests inland. One tribesman notes: “We remembered what our ancestors taught us. That land and sea always fight over boundaries.”
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
