News Broadcasting
Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan addresses ‘The Southern Rising’ Summit
Mumbai: We as governors can’t sit within our four walls, we can’t just be a rubber stamp, said Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry at ABP Network’s “The Southern Rising” Summit.
At the event, Tamilisai Soundarajan said, “As more talented and dynamic people have been appointed as governors, their function has changed. Can’t sit within four walls, can’t just be a rubber stamp.”
She said it is worrisome that the schemes launched by governors who want to do good for the people are being “opposed for political reasons”.
She added, “Politicians and state governments should not oppose governors for political purposes. The Governor is a bridge and a bridge not only to the central and state governments but also to the people.”
Soundararajan’s primary goal from the outset has been to act as a catalyst in making resources accessible to the people, emphasizing a humanitarian approach over a political one. As a governor, she engaged with the public by organizing a ‘Mahila Darbar,’ demonstrating a strong connection to the people’s needs. She made it clear that her decisions are rooted in the best interests of the people, as she aims to serve them. She also introduced a redressal mechanism as a ‘sister of Puducherry,’ emphasizing the role of governors as public servants rather than provocateurs.
Soundararajan praised Ayushman Bharat and reiterated her unwavering dedication to the welfare of the people, promising to act in their best interests. She also mentioned that – ‘’there should be a good relationship between the CM and Governor.’’
The Southern Rising’ Summit was conceptualized and instituted by ABP Network as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. It aims to celebrate the spirit and richness of southern states, united on a singular mission of driving a transformative journey for India. The summit thus witnesses profound deliberations and sharing of insights by the movers and shakers of South Indian states and Union Territories.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to air live counting day coverage for five state election results on May 4
The channel is rolling out its biggest election coverage machinery yet for results day on 4th May
NOIDA: The votes have been cast. Now comes the reckoning. CNN-News18 is pulling out all the stops for results day on 4th May, when counting begins across five battleground states — West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry — in what promises to be one of the most closely watched electoral verdicts in recent memory.
The channel’s coverage, titled Battle for the States: The Verdict, kicks off at 7am and runs through the day across linear TV, connected television and YouTube. It is the culmination of CNN-News18’s multi-format editorial initiative, Battle for the States, which has tracked the polls from the beginning under the theme Road to Power.
At the operational heart of the coverage will be the Live Results Hub, the channel’s central command centre built to collate, verify and process real-time data flowing in from reporters stationed at counting centres across constituencies. The hub combines newsroom intelligence, analytics and on-the-ground reporting to deliver what the channel promises will be the fastest and most accurate results coverage in English news.
Leading the on-air charge will be primetime anchors Rahul Shivshankar, Anand Narasimhan, Aman Sharma, Nabila Jamal and Shivani Gupta. They will be joined by a wide panel of commentators including author Chetan Bhagat; GVL Narasimha Rao, senior leader of the BJP; Smita Prakash, editor of ANI; activist Saira Shah Halim; political analyst Sumanth C Raman; Abhijit Iyer Mitra, senior fellow at IPCS; Amitabh Tiwari, founder of VoteVibe; columnist Abhijit Majumdar; Nalin Mehta, managing editor of MoneyControl; political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla; senior journalist Subir Bhaumik; and political analyst Manojit Mandal.
Shivshankar, who serves as editorial affairs director at CNN-News18, set out the stakes plainly. “Counting day is one of the most watched events in the electoral cycle, where speed and credibility are tested in real time,” he said. “Battle for the States: The Verdict is built on that promise, combining ground reporting, sharp analysis and cutting-edge election technology to give viewers the clearest and fastest route to the verdict. On May 4, CNN-News18 will once again be the nation’s most trusted channel to witness democracy in action.”
Smriti Mehra, chief executive of English and Business News at Network18, framed the coverage in broader terms. “Elections are defining national events, and audiences turn to brands they trust in moments that matter,” she said. “CNN-News18 has consistently led from the front in every election coverage, and this special programming reflects the scale of our ambition and editorial strength.”
The channel has form here. It claims to have been India’s most preferred English news destination for election results for the past 20 years, covering everything from the 2024 general elections to the Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar and BMC polls on the back of what it calls an “Always First, Always Right” record. Five states, one day, and a nation waiting for answers. The clock starts at 7am on 4th May.
