NEW DELHI: If it‘s not this then it‘s that. Yesterday it was the opposition uproar over the alleged irregularities by the petroleum ministry in the allotment of petrol pump dealerships. The terrorist strike on Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir in the early hours today closed the lid on any chances that the Cable TV Network Regulation Amendment Bill 2002 had of coming up for discussion.
The Bill was listed as the second item on today‘s Rajya Sabha (Upper House) agenda. The chances of that happening seem nonexistent following the terrorist attack on pilgrims en route to the Amarnath shrine this morning. Eight pilgrims were killed and 32 wounded when militants attacked the heavily guarded base camp for the pilgrims near Pahalgam, 100 km from Srinagar in the south Kashmir district of Anantnag. One militant was also reportedly killed when security forces retaliated, according to police sources in Srinagar.

MUMBAI: Is it a game of "me too" going on in sports broadcasting land? First was cricket "World Cup Network" SET MAX‘s announcement that it had signed on cricket legend Kapil Dev as its brand ambassador. Going one better, ESPN Star Sports announced cricket demi-god Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador. The latest, according to reliable industry sources, is that MAX has signed on India‘s cricket captain and the "prince of Kolkata" Saurav Ganguly to represent the channel.

Saurav Ganguly taking fresh guard on MAX?

When contacted for a response to reports that Saurav had entered into an association with Sony, Rajat Jain, executive V-P & business head, MAX, while not denying the news outright, said: "I have no knowledge at the moment as to the veracity of this information."

Kapil‘s signing has proved a bulls eye hit for Sony, especially as soon after the deal was done, he was declared Wisden‘s Indian Cricketer of the Century, pipping both Sachin and batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar in the race for honours. If Saurav is indeed coming aboard, Sony would certainly be hoping the Indian captain leads from the front and inspires his young turks to perform on the field like they did in the recent Natwest Finals at Lords. There is nothing that will jack up viewership and bring ad money rolling in like a winning performance from the Indian cricket team.