MUMBAI: As the latest set of GDP figures are expected to show, India is on track to be the world’s fastest growing major economy this year. Taking a cue from this growth, the BBC is planning to bring tales of India’s development to its global audiences.
Drawing on its news and programme making teams in India and the UK, BBC World Service, BBC World News and BBC.com/news will be delivering a wealth of content examining all aspects of India’s business, political and cultural life.
The season launches with India Rising on Thursday, 27 August. This will be a pan-BBC News day of content delivered by reporters based in India working with journalists from the business and economics units.
For BBC World News TV, business editor Kamal Ahmed will be reporting live from Delhi looking at how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reforms have progressed and how UK companies are faring. On the other hand, Yogita Limaye will be travelling across the country visiting Indian firms hungry to expand abroad, whereas World News Asia business correspondent Karishma Vaswani will live in Mumbai with a range of guests, with coverage for the international news channel’s shows Global, Impact and World Business Report.
There will also be a round-up edition of India Business Report. Listeners on BBC World Service will hear from the correspondents as well as Indian economist and philosopher Amartya Sen, while Business Daily will explore the need for investment to help provide new opportunities for the millions living in poverty. There will also be content on BBC.com/news including animations, video and explainers to help audiences understand the data and what it means for India. Plus people can get involved using social media via #indiarising2015.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Vaswani says, “Seasons will focus on the economic progress of India, and whether the nation is ready to be a replacement of China in terms of economic growth. I just interviewed RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, whereas Kamal Ahmed will interview finance minister Arun Jaitley. It will be two days of quality business content.”
The India market is of immense importance to BBC and the British pubcaster is committed to present sublime content for the region. “I won’t say one episode of seasons or a certain interview is our goal. The expectation is to provide editorial quality to Indian audience,” asserts Vaswani.
The focus on India will continue over the coming months with content across BBC World Service Radio, BBC World News TV and online at bbc.com/news.
“With India’s economic performance under the spotlight, this is the perfect time to take an in-depth look at the country’s rapidly evolving business and financial landscape - from successes to areas of challenge - and focus on the people whose daily lives underpin the economy. For our listeners in India and around the world, we’ll also be discussing India’s dynamic arts scene, its wonderful food culture, and the importance of education for the next generation of growth,” said BBC World Service English controller Mary Hockaday.
BBC Global News editorial and digital director Richard Porter added, “The BBC has a long history of broadcasting to and from India and we know our audiences here value what we do. Indeed bbc.com remains the number one international news site in India. Launching this season gives the BBC’s award winning international services the chance to showcase our commitment to this important market.”
