MUMBAI: Sesame Workshop and Turner International India have teamed up to co-produce Sesame Street in India. The development phase of the Sesame India was provided through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICICI Bank.

Sesame Workshop had launched its Indian operations in August 2004. The series that will feature new Indian Muppet characters, locally produced live action and animation segments, and classic Seasame Street moments with Elmo, Cookie Monster and the rest of the gang.

The series will make its debut in 2006. According to a company release, the series will be distributed on multiple platform across India.

A research team comprising Indian educators, media programmers and child development experts and producers will bring in an innovative curriculum.

According to an official communique, the country’s rich cultural diversity will also be reflected in the music, live action and animation segments.

In the first season, Sesame India will be in Hindi, though some English words and simple phrases will be incorporated into the series. The innovative series will subsequently be available in other languages, informs the media release.

In addition to the TV series, a Sesame India radio program and outreach materials, including posters and flashcards, will be distributed in both urban and rural areas.

Sesame Workshop's president and CEO Gary E Knell as quoted says, “Sesame Workshop’s mission is to create innovative engaging content that maximizes the educational power of media to help children reach their highest potential.”

“As with all our adaptations, we are now working with local experts to identify Indian children’s issues and how to best address them on-and off-air. We’re thrilled to work with Turner, the undisputed leader in Indian kids’ television, to build a long-term presence and to together serve the children of the amazing Indian sub-continent,” says Knell.