Mumbai, January, 19th 2010: IBN7 - India’s Channel of Impact and Bajaj Allianz - India's leading private insurance company, felicitated and acknowledged eighteen Super Idols of India at the ‘IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols’ Awards in a splendid award ceremony held in Mumbai today. The award ceremony celebrated the achievements of the specially abled who have overcome debilitating physical challenges through super human efforts to achieve acceptance and success in this society as well as the individuals who have worked tirelessly to achieve equal rights for the specially abled.

The IBN7 editorial team, through its extensive reporter network in the country, identified these 17 ‘Super Idols’ across India whose work can be classified under one of the following eight categories: Sports; Business and Employment; Rehabilitation; Entertainment; Education; National Service; Idol Makers ; Special Idol Makers, and the special Lifetime Achievement Award. (for details on the Super Idols, please refer to attached Annexure).

The awards ceremony will be telecast on IBN7 on 26th January, Tuesday @ 7:30 PM and on CNN-IBN @ 8:00 PM.

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award was Javed Abidi, the Director of India's National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.). Mr. Abidi was diagnosed with Spina Bifeda (a developmental birth defect caused by the incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube) when he was just 20 days old but strove hard not just to conquer his own disability but also worked tirelessly for providing equal employment opportunities for the specially abled and to set up and head the Disability Unit - at the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

Recognizing and acknowledging the contribution of these individuals, pioneers from various fields of the society were present at the award ceremony. The Chief Guest, Mr. Aamir Khan graced the occasion with his valuable presence. For their perseverance & achievements, the Super Idols were honoured with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh each. Bajaj Allianz also supported each of Super Idols with a health insurance policy with cover of Rs. 3 lacs. Other eminent personalities from different walks of life such as Ms. Daina Hayden, Mr. Ashutosh Rana, Ms. Saroj Khan, Mr. Shekhar Suman, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mr. Harsha Bhogle, eminent writer Mr. Amol Gupte among many others, also lent their support by attending the event.

The ceremony opened with popular singer Krishna Beura’s soulful songs that left the audience deeply moved, before the evening moved on to the felicitation of the Super Idols in the various categories.

Speaking about the initiative, Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 said, “The IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols’ Awards are our earnest endeavour to honour some of the unsung heroes of our society, the men and women who have not only battled disability themselves but have also served as a shining example to other differently abled individuals to overcome all obstacles and scale new pinnacles of achievement. Tonight we salute these remarkable people who truly are role models for all of us; they are the real Super Idols of India.”

Addressing the media, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN18 said, “My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the recipients of the IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols’ Awards. These extraordinary individuals have truly shown that disability does not translate into the inability to perform the greatest of feats and we are proud to be celebrating their achievements tonight”

"It is a matter of great pride for Bajaj Allianz to be associated with this initiative. We believe that everybody should have the determination to live life to the fullest and this platform celebrates that ‘jiyo befikar’ spirit irrespective of the harsh conditions one may have to face”, said Mr. Kamesh Goyal, Country Manager and CEO, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co Ltd.

Aamir Khan, the Chief Guest at the event added, “Promoting equal rights and opportunities for the differently abled is a cause which is very close to my heart. I am happy and proud to be a part of this awards function tonight which celebrates the amazing achievements of these exceptional individuals.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Jayshree Raveendran, Founder & Managing Trustee, Ability Foundation, said, “It is an honour to be associated with IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols that recognizes the outstanding achievement of the specially abled people in various fields. This initiative will also motivate others in the society to utilize their talent in the best way and promote a society offering equal opportunities for all.”

About Network 18
Network18 [BSE: 532798,NSE: Network18] is one of India's leading full play media conglomerates with interests in television, print, internet, filmed entertainment, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its holding in Television Eighteen India Ltd (TV18) [BSE: 532299, NSE: TV-18], Network18 operates India’s leading business news television channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz. It also runs one of India’s largest Internet players - Web18, as well as one of India’s leading real time financial information and news terminals - Newswire18. TV18 has recently expanded into print with Infomedia18, a newly formed entity following the acquisition of Infomedia, India's leading player in the special interest publishing and printing operations space.TV18 has also announced collaboration with Forbes media for the launch of a business magazine in India. Through its holding in ibn18 Broadcast Ltd (ibn18) [BSE: 532800,NSE: ibn18], Network18 operates in the general news and entertainment space with leading general news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7 and has launched IBN Lokmat, a Marathi news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group. ibn18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18 which houses the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon channels in India - as also Studio18, the Group’s filmed entertainment operation and has launched ‘Colors’, a Hindi general entertainment channel. Additionally, Network18 holds the Group’s online & on-air home shopping venture, Homeshop18 and its full spectrum events management venture, E18.

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