Mumbai: Dr. B R Ambedkar was voted as the undisputed ?Greatest Indian? in the much anticipated quest spearheaded by HISTORY TV18 and CNN IBN. After weeks of fervent debate and speculation, the series culminated in a grand finale with eminent luminaries like Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, and IBN18 Editor in Chief Rajdeep Sardesai among others

The father of the constitution received an overwhelming majority of the nearly 2 crore votes cast since the launch of the initiative. He also garnered the second highest Jury votes in the 3 pronged process which gives equal weightage to the popular vote, a jury and an on-ground poll. Other ?Greats? in the Top 10 list included eminent Indians across its 65 years from Jawaharlal Nehru to Mother Teresa to Sachin Tendulkar. The voting created phenomenal buzz in popular social media networks ?which was used actively by various fan groups to drive voting, besides trending regularly on Twitter.

The grand finale, featuring some of the best known names, was replete with interesting anecdotes and incidents related to the ?Greats?. Besides discussion, it was also an occasion of celebration: The audience was mesmerized by the haunting voice of Kailash Kher singing his popular numbers like ?Teri Dewaani?, ?Yuhi Chala Chal Rahi? amongst others. Echoing the sentiment of all present, Amitabh Bachchan blogged about the event saying, ?Learning about these stalwarts in their fields, their contribution towards society and the country, the little and interesting anecdotes connected with them and what other greats thought of them. (All) in all a most substantial evening, one that is not encountered often.?

Commenting on initiative, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief IBN18 Network said ?We?re overjoyed that this series has captured the nation?s imagination and are truly inspired by the levels of interest and debate generated. It?s great that figures from our past continue to inspire such a passionate response and we are happy to have played a small role in helping understand them better.?

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Chacko, President, A+E Networks | TV18, stated, ?HISTORY TV18?s attempt has been to create interest across generations in the subject in an informal and entertaining way. This partnership with CNN IBN enables HISTORY TV18 to bring forth the inspiring figures over the years, who have had the maximum impact on the country?s present and future. India has always been identified as a cricket and Bollywood crazy nation, so it feels heartening to find nation builders and leaders topping the list, proving that the poll hit the right chord with people who?ve clearly realised its true purpose- to vote for iconic Great Indians who have impacted lives?

Myleeta Aga, General Manager & Creative Head of BBC Worldwide Productions India, said ?BBC Worldwide India is thrilled to have partnered with HISTORY TV18 and CNN IBN to bring the BBC format "The Greatest Indian" to the Indian audience. It has been a fantastic collaboration that culminated in a Grand Finale that we produced together and brought into focus inspiring Indians including Mother Teresa, Dr. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru. The series has broken records emulating the success of the series worldover.?

The entire process, one of the most thorough and meticulous in the industry, was audited by Grant Thornton. Along with the nationwide poll, equal weightage will be given to the jury?s selection as well as a separate market research poll conducted by The Nielsen Company.

The Grand Finale will be telecast at 14th Aug, 7PM and 15th Aug, 9PM on HISTORY TV18 and 14th Aug, 9PM and 15th Aug, 7PM on CNN IBN.

New Delhi: A unique 12 hour LIVE programming initiative collected 5.81 crores to SAVE OUR TIGERS as NDTV, in association with Aircel, brought together Brand Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, NDTV?s Prannoy Roy and Vikram Chandra, along with the country?s wildlife and conservation experts, to raise funds for the preservation of our national animal. Joining them in Ranthambore were celebrity lyricist composers and singers Pankaj Udhas, Swanand Kirkire, Kailash Kher and Sunidhi Chauhan.

Contributions to this Cause poured in from across the country, ranging from forest guards salaries, neighbourhood collections by children to corporate, Bollywood personalities and concerned individuals and activists. Among those who generously donated were Hemendra Kothari, Chairman, Wildlife Conservation Trust with 2.5 crore rupees. Corporate donors who came forward to show their support included TATA Consultancy Services, HDFC Limited, Exide Industries Limited, GMR Group, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Housing Company and Shell India. Other donors included Uday Kotak, Ajay and Swati Piramal, Atul Kirloskar, Anu Agha, Nemesh Shah, Dhananjay Mungle, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rajesh Kapadia, Madhu Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Ms Aishwariya, Amit Chandra, Ramesh Chauhan, Surinder Kumar, Chandru Raheja, Anuradha Yadav, Aditya Raman and friends, Deepika Padukone, Dr RS Murthy and the forest guards from Panna and Suhel Seth. Renowned wildlife artist MD Parasher painted a tiger picture during the Telethon which was auctioned by saffronart.com. Dr RK Pachauri of TERI pledged to provide solar lamps to 20 training camps.

Also lending their support from around the country were John Abraham, Purab Kohli, Kunal Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Karan Johar and cricketers Zaheer Khan & Yusuf Pathan.

Encouraged by the fantastic response in its first year, where fund were raised for over 40 Rapid Response Units in 30 National Parks and Reserves, the NDTV-Aircel SAVE OUR TIGERS campaign aims to now focus on strengthening protection mechanisms with better equipped Tiger Defence Units, running anti-poaching training camps, and collaborating with NGOs already working at the grass roots level to include local communities in all efforts to Save Our Tigers.

Wildlife conservationists and activists Valmik Thapar, Govardhan Singh Rathore, Belinda Wright, Bittu Sahgal, Anish Dhaneria, Prerna Bindra, Mike Pandey, Ajay Dubey, Ravi Singh, Ratna Shah, Dr Hemendra Kothari, park officials and wildlife experts from Panna, Karnataka, Tadoba and the Head of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Dr Rajesh Gopal joined Brand Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan and NDTV in discussions ranging from poaching problems to taking lessons from successful wildlife tourism management in other countries, and a vision of future park management. Committing their State government efforts to actively protecting this highly endangered animal and national heritage of our country, Chief Ministers Prithviraj Chavan of Maharashtra, Shivraj Singh Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh, Vijay Bahuguna of Uttarakhand, Bina Kak, Rajasthan?s Environment & Forests Minister, Principal Secretary (Forests) Maharashtra Praveen Pradesi, and senior politicians including BJP President Nitin Gadkari, cut across party lines and committed to framing policies and implementing conservation practices, such as a ban on the manufacture and possession of wire snares and claw traps to increasing buffer zone areas and animal corridors.

As part of the NDTV-Aircel SAVE OUR TIGERS 12 hour LIVE telethon, Defenders of The Wild Awards were presented by Amitabh Bachchan to forest guards from Goa, Assam, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra for their immense bravery and courage in protecting the big cat from poachers. Kids For Tigers melas were organised in Mumbai, Delhi and Sawai Madhopur, where painting competitions, flash mobs and stage performances saw Gen Next sending the powerful message "Save Tigers, if not for you, then for us".

Committing his time and efforts to furthering this cause, Campaign Ambassador, Mr Amitabh Bachchan said, "Every time you destroy a tiger, you destroy a part of country. I am glad that NDTV has taken an initiative to address this concern. I?m glad to be associated with Save Our Tigers campaign and would like to congratulate the channel for their continuous commitment towards the cause.?

NDTV Chairman, Dr Prannoy Roy said, ?We at NDTV are delighted to see the remarkable response to the Save our Tigers campaign. Generous contributions from people across the country reflect how sensitive they are towards the cause and we strongly believe that funds generated through the telethon will bring visible results in preventing tiger poaching.?

Commenting on the initiative Mr. Sandip Das, Director, Aircel added: ?We need to leave a legacy behind for our children. The Tiger symbolizes everything we stand for as a country. The Save Our Tiger campaign has made a huge difference by bringing forth not only the issues impacting the national animal but environment and people too. We are extremely honoured and pleased to see the profound impact it has created in the last 3 years."

Since its inception in 2010 the campaign has been able to generate funds over 50 million rupees.

NEW DELHI: This new year?s eve get ready for some excitement as NewsX brings forth an exciting blend of shows for its viewers. From the buzz that happened in the world of entertainment to the groovy chartbusters that hit the silver screen to India?s glorious victory in the world cup , the major events that made news in 2011 to the best programming that NewsX had to offer, catch it all this weekend on NewsX.

The details of the new year special programming are as under:

REWIND : THE YEAR THAT WAS: It?s been a maelstrom of a year for the UPA govt. Scams after scams have hit them in quick succession and Dr. Manmohan Singh?s image has taken quite a battering. What were these storms? Watch as we rewind and take a look at the year that was.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 8.30 am

STAR OF THE YEAR : This Bodyguard was always ready with a hit in 2011. Join us as we get you the man who ruled the box office in 2011, he is none other than ?Salman Khan?.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 5:30 pm

BEST OF CATCH A STAR ? From superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Dev Anand, Hema Malini and Dharmendra to the changing face of Indian Hero to the Bold Babes of Bollywood. We went down memory lane and revisited the life and career of the superstars and also took a peek at the trends prevalent in bollywood. Join us as we relive the best of the moments we had on the show.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 6.30 pm

Repeat: Sunday, 1st January , 2011 @ 11.30 am

TOP TRACKS: ?D K Bose? is on a run and ?Shera Di Kaum? is still ruling the charts. We turn up the volume of the biggest chartbusters of 2011 in ?Top Tracks?.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 8.30 pm

Repeat: Sunday, 1st January , 2011 @ 3.30 pm

CRICKETER OF THE YEAR: DHONI : Catch the man who triggered the turnaround in Indian cricket, taking India to the top in both Tests and ODIs. If Indian sports lovers had one dream for the past many years, it was to win the cricket World Cup. MS Dhoni helped us realize that dream, winning the tournament with a six. Watch out for this special show on the leading cricketer of the year.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 9.30 pm

Repeat: Sunday, 1st January , 2011 @ 2.30 pm

ROCKSTAR/ FLOPSTAR : Join us as we take a look at the films, promotions & actors that rocked the box office and the ones which flopped in the year gone by.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 10.30 pm

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ 2011: Which stars made news in 2011 and what happened when the international celebrities came cruising in India? We go in to rewind mode and get you the biggest stories from the world of entertainment.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 11 pm

Repeat: Sunday, 1st January , 2011 @ 10.30 pm

BEST OF CARS 2011: Which were the best cars introduced in 2011? Watch as we profile the top cars and bikes across different classes and segments .

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 10.30 am

BEST OF ART TALK: Meet India?s finest artists, get a peek in to their honest confessions and secret inspirations. From painters to dancers to photographers and musicians, NewsX brings you up close and personal with these masters of creativity. Watch out for the best moments we had on the show in ?Best Of Art Talk?.

Telecast details: Saturday, 31st December, 2011 @ 4.30 pm

MISSION WORLD DOMINATION: What is the route to becoming No.1 in the world? The biggest and best voices in the game tell us what India needs to do to reclaim the top spot in Test and ODI cricket in 2012.

Telecast details: Sunday, 1st January, 2012 @ 6.30 pm

12 PEOPLE TO WATCH IN 2012: Join us as we take a look at the major figure heads who are expected to shape the year ahead. From Rahul Gandhi to Mayawati to Narendra Modi and Pawan Munjal we bring you the faces to look forward to in the forthcoming year.

MUMBAI: After celebrating ?India?s Coolest Baap? festival showcasing the best of Amitabh Bachchan, Zee Cinema is all set to celebrate the best of Hindi cinema. India?s leading Hindi movie channel brings the movie mania back for its viewers with a film festival featuring the biggest blockbusters of all times titled "RECORD TOD CINEMA" from 15th October - 24th October, 2011 followed by the world television premiere of two blockbuster movies ?Double Dhamaal? and ?Shaitaan?. Record Tod Cinema will bring some of the biggest blockbusters in Hindi cinema to your TV screens and will be aired from 15th October - 24th October at 5:30 PM daily. Be it the iconic Sholay with its cult dialogues and characters or Taare Zameen Par which will surely bring tears to your eyes; the eternal lover boy Salman Khan in Maine Pyaar Kiya or the biggest wedding extravaganza in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun; the evergreen classic Mother India or Sunny Deol?s power packed performance in Gadar, we promise to keep you glued to your television sets! The marketing campaign rolled out to promote the celebration of movies on Zee Cinema will encompass all mediums pan India - On-Air, Cross Channel promotions Radio and social media marketing. Commenting on the month long movie extravaganza Business Head, Zee Cinema, Mohan Gopinath said "The month of October is marked with festivals and celebrations; hence entertainment rides high on Zee Cinema. The channel has always enthralled viewers with the most popular movies of all times and continues to honor its commitment of bringing the best in entertainment to our viewers."That?s not all? This multi starrer movie Double Dhamaal will premiere on 22nd October at 9 PM. It has punch-filled dialogues that will appeal to the masses along with some brilliant performances & hilarious comic sequences by Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi. Also, bookmark your calendar on 30th October for the World Telivision Premiere of Shaitan at 9pm. A remarkable story of five friends living life on the edge and unwittingly get involved in a crime. In trying to extricate themselves from the mess, they commit further crimes. Watch it for the stylish making, racy screenplay and the terrific background score. With superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Govinda, Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Sunny Deol and many more lighting up your screen along with the premieres of Double Dhamal and Shaitan this festive month, there is no better way than to sit back and enjoy the celebration.

NEW DELHI: 6th Sep 2011, Mumbai: A voice that has undefined depth and a unique perfection in its incarnation of songs belonged to one of the greatest singers of Hindi Cinema. It belonged to Mukesh.

Shemaroo remembers the great singer on his 35th death anniversary on 27th August, 2011 by releasing 101 Mukesh Hits in a premium 3 DVD pack. The pack features best of his works from the black and white days of silver screen to the colourful frames. ?Awara Hoon? , ?Suhana Safar Aur Ye Mausam?, ?Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo? ?Dost Dost Na Raha?, ?Chal Akela Chal Akela?, ?Hum Dono Milke Kaagaz Ke Dil? are some of his popular songs that are incorporated in the pack. It also features the song from AAH ? ?Chhoti Si Yeh Zindagani Re?? which features singer Mukesh as an actor too; He plays the ?Tangewala? lip syncing to his own voice.

Mukesh was considered synonymous with Raj Kapoor as he became the great showman?s voice. Some of their best combination songs are included in this compilation, which includes songs from Awara, Shree 420, Aah, Jis Des Mein Ganga Bethi Hai, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker and many more. Mukesh was equally at ease singing for other stars like Dilip Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Joy Mukherjee, Sanjeev Kumar, Navin Nishchal etc. Popular songs of Mukesh sung for these actors enrich this compilation pack. While Disc 1 & Disc 3 of the compilation include the solo songs of Mukesh, Disc 2 feature his all time-favourite duet songs.

101 Mukesh Hits covers various moods of singer Mukesh put together in this priceless compilation. Go grab your copy now!

101 Mukesh Hits in a premium 3 DVD pack economically priced at Rs 299/-.