News Broadcasting
Navbharat Times pushes for gender-inclusive Hindi with new campaign
MUMBAI: On International Women’s Day, Navbharat Times, in collaboration with FCB Ulka, unveiled a pioneering initiative, ‘Barabari Ki Bhasha’,aimed at making the Hindi language more inclusive and gender-equal.
For centuries, Hindi has been a gendered language, often lacking female-specific terms for professions and achievements, particularly in male-dominated fields such as STEM, politics, sports, and entrepreneurship. This campaign seeks to address this gap by introducing new, gender-neutral or female-centric words, ensuring language no longer limits aspirations.
Research indicates that language shapes society by influencing participation in various fields. The absence of feminine equivalents for certain professions often discourages female involvement, reinforcing gender disparities. By introducing these new words, the initiative hopes to empower young girls, providing them with the language to dream, aspire, and succeed.
The Times of India Group president & chief brand officer Partha Sinha stated, “The first step in understanding a culture is through its language. With a gendered language, some inclusiveness is always left out. ‘Barabari Ki Bhasha’ aims to reflect the true desires and aspirations of society, marking a significant cultural shift.”
FCB Ulka chief creative officer Hemant Shringy added, “‘Barabari Ki Bhasha’ is more than a campaign; it’s a movement. Language shapes how we think, and by introducing these new words, we take a meaningful step toward true equality. Every girl deserves to see herself represented in the words we use daily.”
Initially launched in print, the campaign will expand to digital platforms and other media to maximise its impact.
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.
