News Broadcasting
Thums Up-Being Human VEER Campaign in partnership with CNN-IBN & AIF
MUMBAI: Thums Up-Being Human campaign VEER, in partnership with CNN-IBN &American India Foundation (AIF), has already managed to collect INR 50 lakh in donations, a landmark feat after just one month of its launch. The campaign, which was launched on January 24, had set out to raise at least INR 75 lakhs to make 1,000 people with disabilities employable.
Since the launch of VEER, CNN-IBN and IBN7 have showcased inspiring stories of people with disabilities (PwDs), who despite various obstacles have managed to achieve success and earn people’s respect. These stories have touched people across India, many of whom have come forward to support the cause. Also, these channels have carried candid and detailed discussions on issues related to disability, which have spread nationwide awareness about this cause.
Now in its second month, the VEER campaign aims to meet its target and help PwDs get the necessary skills and training.
Alvira Khan on behalf of Salman’s Being Human foundation, said, “We at Being Human-the Salman Khan Foundation thank all those who have supported the Veer initiative. We hope the campaign continues to grow in strength.”
Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-chief, IBN Network, said, “We would like to thank all those individuals and groups who have helped us reach this landmark of INR 50 lakh. We believe that people will continue to support this campaign and help us achieve success.”
Debabrata Mukherjee, VP-Marketing & Commercial, Coca-Cola India said, “Thums Up as a brand believes that every one of us has the potential that just needs to be unleashed. We came up with ‘Veer’ to offer people with disabilities a platform to unleash their potential. With support from our partners and donors, we are glad to announce that we have raised INR 50 lakh within a month.”
Dr. Hemanth Paul, Country Director, AIF, said, “As an NGO that has been working on the whole livelihood space for the last eight years, the Veer campaign aimed at raising funds for the empowerment of persons with disabilities and getting them an equal stature in the society. We cannot thank our supporters enough for the help that they have extended. There is much more to do before we reach out target, but the response that we have received so far is an assurance that the initiative will definitely be a success.”
The series has been running in conjunction with digital platforms. A dedicated call centre- 0120-4019191, a website – www.theveer.in, and a mobile app – VEER has been set up to enable people to make contributions. One can also send an SMS, ‘VEER’ to 51818 to know more about the initiative and make individual donations.
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.
