News Broadcasting
Synergy to help Star find India’s ‘Child Genius’
MUMBAI: Star World is set to accommodate an indigenously produced show after a long time, to give the only desi produced programme Rendezvous with Simi Garewal currently on air, some company.
Siddhartha Basu’s Synergy Communications will be back on Star by this April or May with a child talent hunt. Star officials however said the time slot and the exact date of launch of Child Genius is yet to be finalised.
After the dud Neena Gupta anchored Kamzor Kadii Kaun that followed the blockbuster Kaun Banega Crorepati in early 2002, Basu and Star had stayed away from each other, although Basu did make University Challenge for BBC World mid 2003.
Now, Synergy has been roped in to produce India’s Child Genius, a 27 episode TV quiz contest to find India’s brainiest child. The hour long weekly will have contestants answer questions on verbal and non- verbal reasoning, maths, science, natural world, geography, history, mythology, literature, comprehension, spellings, arts, English language and general knowledge. Apart from the title, prizes worth Rs 50,00,000 are at stake.
Siddhartha Basu
Provisional test centres have already been set up according to zones and the written selection test will be conducted on 8 February. Star has thrown open its website indya.com for applicants to download forms and apply online, the last date for which is 21 January 2004.
Synergy founder and ace quizmaster Siddhartha Basu himself will anchor the proceedings.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
