Factual
World Water Day: NatGeo teams up with NMCG for a film on Ganga conservation
Mumbai: To mark the occasion of World Water Day on 22 March, National Geographic is set to premiere a documentary film titled “Ganga: The River from the Skies” at 8 p.m. The channel has collaborated with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to make this docu-film on Ganga conservation.
Hosted by award-winning conservationist and filmmaker Mike Pandey, the film highlights the intricate network of people, organisations, and infrastructure that are working together towards the mission to rejuvenate and preserve the Ganga.
“My relationship with the Ganga as a conservationist has been lifelong. All the efforts to rejuvenate the Ganga, and the Ganga basin, and all it sustains are very close to my heart,” said Pandey. “For this very special film, I travelled from Sunderbans to Devprayag and the Himalayas to understand the ongoing conservation work. The message of this film is that each one of us needs to take ownership, and lend our shoulders to become part of the effort and feel responsible for the health and well-being of our rivers.”
The relentless human and economic activity and the effects of climate change have impacted the clean and unbridled flow of Ganga and its tributaries. The channel has collaborated with NMCG to encourage viewers to bring about a behavioural change and ensure the long-term sustainability of various initiatives undertaken by the central government, said the statement. “The documentary will showcase the river’s beautiful voyage across the heart of India, while traversing a mosaic of cultures, traditions, and communities that share a unique relationship with it. The hour-long special will take viewers through one of the largest and most comprehensive river conservation programmes in the country,” it added.
“At National Geographic, we strive to inspire people by bringing to them insightful stories that take them on an immersive journey,” said the channel’s spokesperson. “The Ganga has significant economic, environmental, cultural, and religious value in our country and by showcasing the incredible and extensive efforts of the NMCG to clean and rejuvenate our majestic river, we wanted to encourage everyone to do their part in making the Ganga thrive again.”
“Our river Ganga is considered to be a lifeline of this country and plays many a role in each state that it traverses through. However, it is currently facing many threats and at National Mission for Clean Ganga, we have been consistently working towards changing the fate of the Ganga and other rivers and for this, contribution at an individual level by every citizen of India is extremely crucial,” commented NMCG director G Asok Kumar. “We all can come together and create a difference by saving Ganga. Our association with National Geographic is an important step towards sharing the incredible story of river Ganga with viewers across the country and uniting them to collectively work towards a conservation mission.”
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
