News Broadcasting
Garg and glory as News18 tunes into a tribute for Zubeen’s legacy
MUMBAI: Some voices don’t just fill the air, they fill an entire people. And when Assam remembers Zubeen Garg, it doesn’t hum along, it breathes in rhythm. News18 Assam Northeast is set to celebrate the birth anniversary of one of the region’s most treasured artistes with a special tribute telecast on 18 and 19 November, airing exclusively from 7:50 pm onwards. The two-day programme promises to immerse viewers in the life, music, and unmatched cultural impact of a man whose songs continue to echo across generations.
Zubeen Garg wasn’t merely a chart-topping singer; he was a creative force who shaped the sonic and emotional landscape of Assam for more than three decades. Composer, performer, actor, activist his influence spilled far beyond the stage, evolving into a social conscience that spoke for the Assamese spirit.
To honour his legacy, News18 Assam Northeast hosted a celebratory evening on 14 November in Guwahati, gathering musicians, admirers, and cultural stalwarts. What unfolded was less an event and more a collective exhale, a community remembering the man whose melodies stitched together their festivals, heartbreaks, rebellions, and quiet nights.
The evening saw soul-stirring performances from some of the industry’s most respected voices. Mahalakshmi Iyer and Joi Barua revisited Zubeen Garg’s most beloved tracks with emotional depth, while an ensemble of Assam’s leading artistes including Diganta Bharati, Pranamika Goswami, Bhaswatii Bharati, Rupam Bhuyan, Barnali Kalita, Sajan Nayak, Mousam Gogoi, Arundhati Bhanupriya, Papori Gogoi, Prashanta Rajkhowa, Janam Kashyap, Alangkrita–Rupangkrita, Surekha Chetri, Minakshi Kalita, Nahid Afrin, and Panchuna Rabha delivered heartfelt renditions that celebrated his legacy across genres and generations.
Every performance became a reminder of why Zubeen Garg is not only adored but deeply woven into Assam’s cultural fabric. His songs from anthems that electrified Bihu grounds to ballads that travelled quietly through bedroom radios form a soundtrack that is both personal and collective.
With this special telecast, News18 Assam Northeast pays homage to an artist who transcended celebrity. Zubeen Garg didn’t simply make music; he made meaning. He became an era, an emotion, and a binding force for Assam, one that continues to resonate in every corner of the state.
As viewers tune in to this tribute, they won’t just be watching a programme. They’ll be stepping into a memory, a feeling, a song, one that still belongs to everyone who ever called Zubeen theirs.
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.
