News Broadcasting
Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024: “Samvedna ka Safar” – A journey towards safer roads
Mumbai: The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), under the leadership of minister Nitin Gadkari, is championing the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024. This pivotal public awareness initiative, dedicated to promoting road safety, will host its second edition four-hour telethon on 3 February 2024, in Mumbai. In partnership with the SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF), a leading non-profit organization in India dedicated to improving road safety and emergency medical care in India since 2008, this Telethon will spotlight the critical importance of road safety, centring on ‘Empathy’ as its core theme.
According to the “Road Accidents in India 2022 Report” by MoRTH, the country witnessed an average of 461 fatalities in 1,263 road crashes per day, marking an alarming 11.9 per cent increase in road crash fatalities from the previous year. Furthermore, there was a significant 15.3 per cent increase in injuries from road crashes.
In response to these concerning statistics, this second edition of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan will address road safety challenges through an empathetic lens, focusing on behavioural modification among Indian commuters to enhance empathy and safety on the roads.
The initiative is built on four foundational pillars:
· Respect: Advocating for life preservation and active participation in life-saving measures.
· Patience: Highlighting the necessity of adhering to speed limits and driving rules.
· Safety: Encouraging the adoption of advanced technologies and initiatives for safer public roads.
· Collaboration: Emphasizing the need for cooperation among all stakeholders, including the public.
SaveLIFE Foundation founder and CEO Piyush Tewari commented, “Road crashes are a major public health concern in India. It is crucial to communicate the safety message to the masses, inspiring empathy and respect for life. The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan is a pioneering effort in this direction, and SaveLIFE Foundation is proud to support it.”
The ministry of road transport and highways is committed to enhancing road infrastructure, improving road safety education, and promoting responsible driving to make roads safer for everyone. This initiative focuses on raising awareness about responsible two-wheeler driving, helmet usage, and the Good Samaritan Law, with special emphasis on two-wheeler users, who accounted for 44.5 per cent of total road fatalities in 2022.
”A collaborative effort from all stakeholders is imperative to bring about positive change on the roads. As we witness the unfolding of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024 and raise awareness about empathy, responsible driving, and road safety, let us also pledge to be more patient, respectful, and safe on the roads,” said Avinash Kaul, chief executive officer – Network 18 (Broadcast) and managing director A+E Networks.
”Road safety is not just about adhering to rules but also about cultivating compassion and transforming attitudes. The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024 is taking a commendable step in this direction by emphasizing empathy as its central theme. We applaud the efforts of this ambitious initiative and extend our relentless support to this noble cause,” said Puneet Singhvi, CEO (Digital) & president of corporate strategy-Network 18.
The 4-hour Telethon will feature eminent personalities, including Shri Nitin Gadkari and Bollywood legend Shri Amitabh Bachchan. Leading actors Pankaj Tripathi and R Madhavan are also an integral part of the campaign along with celebrated singer and composer Shri Shankar Mahadevan; Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Shri Prasoon Joshi; and Author and Philanthropist, Smt. Sudha Murty. The event will also see the launch of the Sadak Suraksha Anthem by Shankar Mahadevan, with lyrics by Shri Prasoon Joshi.
The event will be live-streamed across all digital platforms of CNN News18, enabling audiences to engage with and promote safer, more responsible road behaviour. Watch LIVE on:
News Broadcasting
Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
