News Broadcasting
GotoBavaria, Chattisgarh emphasise uniqueness at ‘Locations 2003’
MUMBAI: The just concluded Locations 2003 billed as the world first tourism event saw presentations by Germany and the Indian state of Chattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh Tourism Board’s MD Dr. A Jayathilak noted that it was not often that you see television and film professionals interacting with the tourism industry. “The concept of using a film location to promote tourism is not new to us. It is a matter of the state governments getting their act together.”
He noted that the general infrastructure present in Chattisgarh was excellent compared to other Indian states. In fact Chattisgarh is the only power surplus state in India. “We have declared tourism as an industry and so new hotels are exempted from luxury and commercial taxes. In addition new ventures in the recreation sector will not have the entertainment tax imposed.
“Through this forum we want to make the industry aware of the unique landmarks that we possess which would prove invaluable for any film. We have the country’s largest waterfall. 22,000 varieties of rice are grown in this area. The UN has declared us as the most bio-diverse hot spot. Half the state is under forest cover which is second in density only to the Amazon. Another landmark is Asia’s biggest catholic church.”
Meanwhile Bavaria is the centre of Germany’s film and television industries. It combines natural beauty with excellent production and post production facilities. GotoBavaria is the state agency for media and IT. The agency’s Peter Englert said that tourism in conjunction with film and television account for 16 per cent of the states GDP. ” The industries employ over 300,000 people and the state gets 22 million visitors a year. The phenomenon of Bavaria becoming synonymous with tourism dates back to the Oscar winner The Sound of Music. Americans in particular wanted to see the hills that Julie Andrews sang about.”
As far as India is concerned he said that we may have a problem in one area. Locations need to be uniquely identifiable. While India as a whole is unique it is difficult to point out differences between Maharashtra, Gujarat and UP. “If that is the case then it is important to find activities that are identified with a particular location. On the television front The Black Forest Plague was Germany’s most successful television series. It was set in a hospital where doctors and nurses brought people back from the abyss of death so to speak.
The part of the black forest where the show was shot has become a tourist landmark. Scores of visitors come in daily to get a feel of the show. The location appearing as part of a film or a television series title can also help give a push as it gets etched in peoples minds. We have realised that tourists are not homogeneous beings. They are special interest groups that have to be catered to by all types of offerings.”
As a follow-up GotoBavaria is organising a Made in Germany Made In South India film festival in Bangalore next month. The event is being organised in conjunction with Max Mueller Bhavan and will kick off with Nowhere in Africa.. Earlier this year it won Germany the Oscar for foreign language film.
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.
