MUMBAI: After last year's Project Swades, Star Gold has announced its flagship social initiative for the year, Rang De Basanti Salaam. The project is aimed at rewarding those ordinary people, who might be strangers to us but have kept the spirit of heroism alive.

Rang De Basanti Salaam will honour those unsung heroes who have risen above and beyond their everyday lives. It will honour individuals whose actions have impacted their community at large. The initiative salutes individuals who reached out to touch another person's life and unknowingly changed it forever, states an official release.

Star India, Marketing, Satya Raghavan says, "India in the last year has faced a number of catastrophes. The country has emerged as a winner against terror and attacks. We have proved to the world that we as people have enough of compassion and humanity to wash away the trauma and suffering. All of this would not be possible without the support of fearless and undaunted people, which Star Gold acknowledges though the Rang De Basanti Salaam."

Kicking off the initiative, Star has invited entries from individuals who know of unsung heroes under the age of 30 from 22 August 2006. Entries can be sent in by telephone Landline BSNL- 1255578, Mobile BSNL - 127827, or by logging on to www.Indya.com. The last date for entries is 3 September 2006. A panel of judges will select 10 most impactful entries, informs the release.

Star Gold will telecast a special episode narrating these 10 stories. Viewers from all over the country can give their respect to the unsung heroes via SMS. The money collected from all the SMS received will be equally divided between the 10 heroes. The initiative will culminate with the telecast of Rang De Basanti on the channel on 2 October.ks India (SPN) realigns key portfolios