Music and Youth
[V] gets election conscious with ‘The Big Vote’
Like all channels, Channel [V] too gets into the election mode with The Big Vote. "Choose or Loose" was the message sent out by Omar Abdullah, Tarun Tejpal, Prahlad Kakar and a panel of young Indians who came together to discuss the issues surrounding Elections 2004 on the show.
The election special will be aired on the channel on 12 April at 8 pm and will be repeated on 14 April at 10 pm, 16 April at 3:30 pm and 18 April at 12 pm.
The Big Vote is Channel [V]'s initiative to educate, activate and involve the youth in the General Elections and presents a special series of discussions with politicians, activists and the youth of the country. VJ Gaurav Kapur plays mediator between the suave young politician Omar Abdullah, Prahlad Kakkar, the Adman with an opinion on all things, journalist par excellence and the brain behind the Tehelka expose Tarun Tejpal and a panel of youngsters in a enthralling discussion on 12 April.
The panel discussion provides an insight into how young India views the upcoming elections and the electoral process. Is there any accountability from the politicians? asks the young audience. Pat comes the reply from Omar Abdullah – "Democracy is all about accountability. If you don't think there is certain politician who is accountable, voice your opinion and don't vote from him. But if you don't engage you loose."
What about involving celebrities in the campaign process? asks someone in the audience. Says ad man Prahlad Kakar, "Celebrities can draw the crowds, but will they get the votes?" Adds Tarun Tejpal, "How can you underestimate the mind of the voter? Doesn't he know who is good for him? However, Abdullah has a different point of view – "It's one of the ways that politicians draw crowds so that they get an opportunity to be heard!"
This lively discussion is interspersed with some humour. When asked about his 'female' fan following, Abdullah quips "Rajiv Gandhi also had a lot of girl fans, I take it as a complement. Any vote is a good vote for me."
The Big Vote tackles various other questions and topics with the aim to mobilise the youth to cast their vote. Echoing this thought, Channel [V]'s VJ Gaurav says, "Be the drop and voice your opinion through your vote, as every single drop makes the ocean."
MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness something it has never seen before. The Global Youth Festival arrives on 6-7 December at Jio World Garden with 15,000 attendees and 60-plus experiences sprawled across six sprawling arenas. On its sixth edition, this is no ordinary jamboree—it is a carefully orchestrated collision of wellness, adventure, arts, music, yoga and social change.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis will throw open the proceedings with a landmark ceremony, signalling the state’s backing for a movement that has already mobilised youth across 20-plus countries and 170-plus cities. The sheer scale is staggering: 500-plus volunteers powering the machine, 600,000-plus volunteer hours logged across previous editions, and millions of lives touched annually.
The speaker roster is formidable. Diipa Büller-Khosla and Dipali Goenka, chief executive of Welspun India, will share the stage with Malaika Arora in conversations spanning leadership, creativity and culture. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukhbhai Mandaviya will also attend, reinforcing GYF’s reach into the corridors of power.
But this is not mere talk. The Solaris Mainstage promises concerts from renowned Indian artists. Innerverse delivers a 360-degree LED spectacle of art, technology and sound. The Love and Care Arena houses hands-on projects spanning women’s empowerment, child education, rural upliftment and animal welfare. India’s largest outdoor sound-healing experience awaits. An inflatable obstacle course, neon drifter karts and open-sky bouldering cater to thrill-seekers.
Some have branded GYF the “Coachella of Consciousness.” Others call it “India’s Largest Sober Festival.” Spiritual visionary Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, who inspired the festival, will deliver the Wisdom Masterclass. Every rupee goes to charity.
After Mumbai comes Kolkata on 14 December. New York looms next year. For one weekend in December, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of youth-driven change—and nothing will be quite the same after.
Tickets available on BookMyShow. Visit youthfestival.srmd.org or follow @globalyouthfestival on Instagram.
