GECs
India to get its first educational TV channel
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Doordarshan are planning a joint venture educational TV channel, which would be the first of its kind in India. The free-to-air channel christened DD Gyan Darshan is expected to be launched this month provided the uplinking facilities are commissioned. The channel would be beamed via Insat 2B using a C-Band transponder. The earth station is located in the Sanchar Kendra Complex.
Doordarshan would be providing the hardware and a free transponder to IGNOU and it has also lent its name for the new channel. The costs involved in running the channel are to be borne by the Human Resource Development Ministry of the Union Government. The nodal agency for the channel would be IGNOU’s Electronic Media Production Centre (EPMC).
The programming for the channel would be provided by various sources like the Consortium for Education Communication and the University Grants Commission, the NCERT and its educational television units, the Indian Institutes of Technology, the Department of Space, Science and Technology.
A test transmission will be on initially for three months. The channel would have eight hours of original programming which will be repeated once more to give a 16-hour block. For quite a few years, DD has been working in partneship with IGNOU and has been airing educational programming on its main channels in the morning and afternoon. The graduation towards a 16-hour channel is a reaffirmation of its educational intents and its role as a public service broadcaster.
It should be noted that a couple of months back Zee Network had announced the launch of Zee Interactive Learning Systems (Zils) which also plans to impart education through a television channel, Internet, print and multimedia. The network has today called for entrepreneurs to become its franchisees and help spread the concept. It hopes to make Zils a Rs 5,000 million venture.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
