MUMBAI: The special episode on farmers' suicide in Vidarbha region on NDTV's 'Witness' has bagged the prestigious World Silver Medal at the New York Festival, 2007. The award winning episode travelled to Vidarbha in eastern Maharashtra, where more than 600 debt-driven cotton farmers have killed themselves since June 2005.

Timed to coincide with the visit of the Prime Minister to Vidarbha, this episode attempted to discover a new way of reporting the tragedy - a way that would jolt both the TV audience and policymakers into reacting - and they did.

Over the 30 minutes, the show interviewed the men who track the daily highs and lows of these deaths, almost like a suicide stock market.

Speaking on the occasion, NDTV Chairman Dr Prannoy Roy said, "The NDTV team is proud to bag this award at the New York Festival 2007. I take this opportunity to congratulate Sreenivasan Jain and the entire team for this very special award.

We believe in credible and responsible journalism that address issues of the people, and the nation. With its experienced and talented team, both on and off camera, cutting edge technology and connect with itss viewers, NDTV is all set for an exciting year ahead."

The New York Festival, established 35 years ago recognises excellence in "The World's Best Work" in news, documentary, information and entertainment programming.

The New York Festival 2007 award was declared on February 2, at the Downtown Auditorium located in the heart of Lower Manhattan's Financial District.

The 'Witness' episode on 'Farmers Suicides' won the prestigious award competing against 686 entries from across the world.