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Classical pianist prodigy Lang Lang on CNN’s ‘Talk Asia’
Airtimes: Indian Standard Times
Saturday, February 11 at 09:30am, 20:00hrs, 22:30hrs
Sunday, February 12 at 06:00am, 17:00hrs and 20:30hrs
Monday, February 13 at 09:00am
World renowned classical pianist Lang Lang joins Lorraine Hahn on this week’s Talk Asia. The 23-year-old has taken the musical world by storm, playing in front of presidents and world leaders, accumulating accolades and rave reviews for his performances in competitions and festivals.
Lang Lang credits his early success partly to his parents while also recalling another influential, if unusual, musical inspiration: “I was watching Tom and Jerry, and one of the episodes they were playing Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody number two. Tom was playing like a totally crazy cat! He is a crazy cat, but the way he played on that piano, I will never forget … flat fingering, fingers flying all over, that really inspired me a lot!”
His performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall was especially memorable as he played a duet with his father, someone who had made numerous sacrifices to further his son’s talent and career. His father joined him at the end of the concert and played the Chinese classical stringed instrument the ehru. Lang Lang felt he was giving something back to his father, particularly so as all musicians aspire to play Carnegie Hall. And, when that involves playing a Chinese instrument, “…it’s far beyond dreams”.
The young virtuoso suggests that classical music education is “…often very strict. So I think for kids, it’s not very healthy.” He suggests that instead budding musicians should treat music like art where “every piece has the fun part, the sad part, the beautiful part. But you should bring the joy from your heart and bring that out!”
For more program information and details on upcoming guests on Talk Asia visit http://edition.cnn.com/ASIA/talkasia/
AIRTIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
