Indiantelevision.com Team

(7 January 2008 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: CNN-IBN, in partnership with Hindustan Times, is presenting its annual CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2007 on 29 January.

The award recognises the Indians whose contribution to the country has strengthened the foundation of the society.

The whole process is audited by Ernst & Young whose years of experience will ensure that this award is above reproach and bias.

In selecting the winners, CNN-IBN will follow a four-tier process.

In the first tier, some of the members of the Network18 editorial team will prepare a list of nominations.

In the second tier, the jury will ratify the final list of nominees for each category. The jury comprises United Lawyers' Association President, Bar Association of India VP and International Institute of Human Rights Society VP Soli Sorabjee (Padma Vibhushan), Deepak Parekh (Padma Bhushan), Infosys Technologies Limited Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors, HT Media Ltd Vice Chairperson and Editorial Director and PTI Chairperson Shobhana Bhartia (Padma Shri), billiard player Geet Sethi (Padma Shri), actor Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair (Padam Shri) and Kiran Bedi (Magasaysay Award).

In the third tier, the Electoral College constituting over 100 contemporary Indian leaders will vote their choice.

The fourth tier is the Vox Populi wherein people will cast their votes.

The vote weightage for the entire property is divided equally between Citizens Vox Pop and the Electoral College. After the process has determined the six individual winners in all six categories, the jury will then select the six final winners of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2007.

CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, "It is an attempt on our behalf to create one of the most sought-after and prestigious titles to be bestowed on a civilian. Like the first, this year's CNN-IBN Indian of the Year will have the entire country involved in celebrating Indian achievement across various spheres."

CNN-IBN and IBN 7 director marketing Dilip Venkatraman said, "This year, there are huge expectations, and we are sure we will be able to meet and surpass the expectations. We hope to contribute significantly to building Brand India, by showcasing the celebrated sons and daughters of India on a platform which transcends the Indian Diaspora, even as the interest in India keeps rapidly increasing."