NEW DELHI: Even as the telecom regulatory authority of India (Trai) has in two reports in the last five years rejected the idea of television channels being run by state governments, West Bengal plans to acquire two closed television channels ? Tara News and Tara Muzik, owned by the Sudipta Sen promoted Saradha group.

The group had run into financial crisis recently, leaving hundreds of employees jobless.

"We have decided to acquire Tara Muzik and Tara News on humanitarian grounds," West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said today.

Earlier, Punjab had approached the information and broadcasting ministry to get into broadcasting business but was turned down, and now the case of Arasu supported by the Tamil Nadu government is unlikely to get the nod of the central government for digital access system (DAS) license.
In any case, the matter relating to the Saradha owned channels is sub judice as the investigation is on and the matter is in court.

The government had also decided to pay an ex-gratia of Rs 16,000 to each of the 168 employees of the two channels for the month of May.

A sum of Rs 26 lakh would be given by Banerjee from the sale proceeds of her paintings to the two channels.

However, she was categorical that the government would not take the liability of the channels which amounted to Rs 6 crore.

The two Bengali channels were bought by the Saradha Group in early 2011. However, the management served closure notices on 15 April. The channels remained on air even after 15 April as employees refused to accept the closure notice.

Trinamool Congress member of parliament Mukul Roy, who is close to Banerjee, had earlier made promises to the employees about assistance from the government.

Banerjee had recently said it was the "teary eyes" of Tara Muzik employees on the day of Bengali New Year (15 April) that made her aware about the financial difficulties of the Saradha owned channels. "After seeing this, I asked Mukul to enquire about the matter. Subsequently, I came to know about Saradha going bust," Banerjee recently said at a public rally.

Among other major media outfits of Saradha, Channel 10, which is also a Bengali news channel, is still on air. Two of its news publications -- Azad Hind (Urdu) and Kalam (Bengali) are also in circulation. Sources suggest in all these organisations, a section of the employees are running the show forming associations with outside support from TMC. On the other hand, Saradha owned English daily Bengal Post and Bengali newspaper Sakalbela are out of circulation.

MUMBAI: ETV Bangla is all geared up to entertain their viewers with one of India?s biggest reality TV show Bigg Boss. The show that took the nation by storm will now set foot in West Bengal, revolutionising entertainment with its perfect blend of reality and unscripted drama. While Bigg Boss will now speak in Bengali, actor Mithun Chakraborthy will be seen hosting the show, but in an all new avatar.

Produced by Endemol India, Bigg Boss is slated to go on air on ETV Bangla in the month of June.

Talking about his new role, Mithun Da (as he is fondly called) said, "Bigg Boss is a very intriguing format. To be a celebrity and to be under surveillance 24x7 on national camera is no easy task and it?s my honor to be the link between the Bigg Boss house and the outside world for my fellow friends of the industry. I look forward to starting the shoot for the show soon."
 
Endemol India CEO Deepak Dhar said, "Bigg Boss is based on a universal concept that has successfully appealed to audiences across markets. Adapting a cult show like Bigg Boss in a regional market helps us reach out to captive audiences who are eager to consume the programme in their preferred language. As the format of the show is non-scripted, one can expect nothing but the purest form of reality arising from unpredictable situations leading to a great viewing experience. We are certain that the Bangla version will be received with a lot of enthusiasm."

MUMBAI: Discovery Channel?s series Body Bizarre, moves across the globe in hunt of extraordinary individuals living with some of the planet?s most inexplicable, remarkable and thought-provoking medical anomalies that have even mystified the world?s finest doctors and experts.

The six-part special series, Body Bizarre, will hit the television screens every Monday to Friday at 10 pm starting 13 May only on Discovery Channel.

From India to Indonesia, China to Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Texas Body Bizarre reveals the real human stories behind the headlines and brings to light what life is really like for these people whose lives have been afflicted by physically and emotionally horrifying syndromes.

The series covers the anomalies of five Indians from Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

A woman who constantly cries and sweats blood, Indonesia?s infamous cigarette-smoking toddler, a little girl who is a human octopus in India, a werewolf girl in Thailand, a 31 year old woman trapped in the body of a baby, a footless football sensation, a furry monkey girl in China, an Indonesian boy with snake-like skin, a man with a hole in his face and an Ethiopian girl born with an extra body are some of the individuals whose rare unpleasant conditions have made them shy away from human contact.

Body Bizarre features stripped down interviews with these individuals, their family, friends and doctors who analysis and attempts to treat their rare conditions. Sometimes, they require surgery so complicated and demanding that the odds of survival are stacked against them.

Despite the massive challenges they face, with modern medicine, the dedication of medical teams, the love of their family and friends and most importantly, their powerful passion for life, these strong individuals push themselves not only for the purpose of survival, but to shine and inspire as well.