News Broadcasting
NDTV grundfos mission energy sessions
MUMBAI: NDTV and Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd (Grundfos India) turned the spotlight on the looming energy crisis this World Environment Day with the Mission Energy Sessions – a platform for prominent energy experts, policy makers and industry leaders to highlight issues; recommend solutions for industry and the new government; and focus on energy efficient ideas for the future. Actor Abhay Deol felicitated winners of the NDTV Grundfos Mission Energy Challenge, which saw 100 contenders competing to achieve highest energy and monetary savings. This was India’s first televised eco-challenge, conducted in association with CII, and winners included Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Vadodara; Indian School of Business, Mohali; Kesoram Industries Ltd [Cement Division], Sedam and homeowner Ameetsinh Vaghela.
Held at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, many prominent personalities including actor Abhay Deol, who is building an eco-home in Goa; Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General- Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India; Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director – Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL); Naina Lal Kidwai, Executive Director & Country Head – HSBC and Former President – FICCI; Ranganath N K, Managing Director – Grundfos Pumps India; Jorgen Bjelskou, Group Public Affairs Director – Grundfos; Dr Sunita Narain, Director General – Centre for Science and Environment (CSE); Mili Majumdar, Director, Sustainable Habitat Division – TERI; Beroz Gazdar, Head Sustainability – Mahindra and Mahindra; Krishan Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer – Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation; Dr Prem Jain, Chairman – IGBC – CII; Samit Aich, Executive Director – Greenpeace, amongst others participated in the informative sessions.
Supporting the cause, Abhay Deol, said, “It is a great initiative by NDTV and what I liked most about it was it showcased great innovations, which gives so much encouragement to these people. I already have a shopping list for my home after coming here. It’s inspired me and if I am investing in it myself then it will encourage those who are making these.”
Vikram Chandra, Group CEO, NDTV said, “Over the years NDTV’s programming has brought focus on a number of social issues through a multitude of campaigns. This campaign is an attempt by us to create awareness around energy conservation and I am glad that we are able to highlight viable solutions that can be adopted, both at an individual level as well as at a national level.”
Ranganath N K, Managing Director, Grundfos India said “We partnered with NDTV to promote energy efficiency in India through the Mission Energy campaign on TV. This is a first of its kind initiative and was aimed at sensitizing all the stakeholders on the importance of energy conservation. In the last five months, this campaign has had a considerable impact on various stakeholders like the Government, industry, educational institutions, as well as individuals. People are waking up to the fact that energy conservation is critical to ensure we bridge the demand – supply gap in India. Not only this, there are savings in costs as well – for the individual and for the nation. India has still a long way to go till it can completely bridge the energy deficit. Being energy efficient will help us achieve this at a lower cost to the country. We at Grundfos along with NDTV are happy to have helped increase the awareness and the momentum through Mission Energy.”
The event marked the culmination of the NDTV-Grundfos Mission Energy Campaign, which was launched earlier this year to create awareness about the importance of energy efficiency and encourage individual efforts towards conservation. The Grundfos Mission Energy Sessions were conducted with the aim to not only discuss issues but also suggest plausible solutions. While the first session focussed on highlighting gruelling current issues, suggestions from the panellists on policy changes etc, the second session drew attention to innovations in energy efficiency that can play a vital role in solving some of India’s energy problems. This session showcased some unique and viable innovations to facilitate energy efficiency in your homes and organisations. The last session concluded with shortlisted participants from the Mission Energy Challenge (conducted by NDTV in association with CII) discussing “It’s All About ME – The Power of An Individual” and presentation of awards to winners and Runners Up.
NDTV-Grundfos Mission Energy is supported by CII as Knowledge Partner, TERI as Content Partner and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and AEEE as Energy Efficiency Partners.
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News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
