News Broadcasting
Digital India, AI Innovations and vaccine diplomacy – India emerges as a torchbearer of good governance
Mumbai: News18 India, India’s Hindi news channel, has hosted its summit at the Taj Palace in Delhi. The latest edition of the initiative, News18 India Chaupal, saw a conclave of the nation’s most distinguished luminaries, thought leaders and youth icons who deliberated and shared insights about India’s role as “Vishwaguru”.
Bringing together the biggest names from a myriad of industries and affiliations on one forum, News18 India Chaupal hosted the leaders of the country as they reflected and discussed a host of integral issues on the backdrop of global geopolitical developments. As India emerges as a leader on the world stage and establishes the tenets of good governance for the world to emulate, News18 India Chaupal provided a stage for these eminent personalities to share their vision for the future of the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The Indian Railways has grown in leaps and bounds and currently provides employment opportunities directly and indirectly to 3.89 lakh people. We will be expanding this capacity further by one lakh people in the coming years. Today, we are setting new milestones in inclusive development and social upliftment. India has the highest concentration of AI innovators in the world. With our Digital India push, the nation will emerge as the pioneer of the next generation of AI technology tomorrow. Looking towards future horizons, our focus will be on expanding the last mile of telecom connectivity and digital inclusive growth. However, it is imperative that we safeguard the rights and safety of our citizens with the Data Protection Bill as we stand on the precipice of a new era of revolutionary transformation. Currently, India contributes 230 billion dollars towards the world IT industry, with over 80,000 start-ups, which employ 53 lakh personnel. Furthermore, under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we have filed over 100 patents with 6G technology as we establish India as a Digital Hub. Our commitment is to foster 360 Digital Villages that will become focal points for holistic growth and inclusive good governance.”
The next session was highlighted by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya who said, “For us healthcare is not commerce, for us healthcare is a service. India has emerged from the disruptions and uncertainties of the pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever before. We have empowered our Make in India vaccine and distributed over 100 crore dosages across the country. India has emerged as a pioneer of the sustainable development model. Even as new variants continue to emerge, we remain vigilant and proactive in nationwide screening and testing. Our indigenous vaccines are effective on all Covid variants and provide protection to every person who has been properly and timely inoculated. Through our Indian vaccine, we have not only safeguarded our citizens, but also expanded our vaccine diplomacy across the globe. Today, India has provided vaccine doses to over 150 countries and continues to play a pivotal role in global geopolitics. Furthermore, India has also emerged as the World’s Pharmacy and our Indian made essential drugs are being distributed in both developed and developing nations alike.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
