MUMBAI:The most eagerly awaited television awards for the year gone by are a mere 24 hours away.

The popular awards category of the Indian Telly Awards 2002, to be bestowed on the most talented, committed and loved of the on screen personalities will be held at a glittering function at the Tulip Star poolside on Friday evening. Amid an array of celebrities, including those who shine on screen and those behind the screen who make it all possible, there will be scintillating performances, rocking music and of course, finger biting suspense as the best in each genre is recognised and honoured. Among the various categories the awards have been broken down into are a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as posthumous awards - for television personalities who have left a lasting impression through the small screen.

The popular awards, which include 34 categories this time round, include -

Comedy show of the year
Best Comic Shorts
Best Current Affairs Programme
Business Show of the year
Best music show
Best Game Show of the year

Apart from the prestigious awards for the best news channel, music channel and entertainment TV channel, the TV personality of the year and the CEO of the year will also be honoured at the Indian Telly Awards 2002. Amid the lively compering of anchors Aman Verma, Nausheen Ali Sardar, Smita Bansal and Prabhat, the best news anchor and TV anchor of the year will be honoured at the awards.

The Best TV actors in comic and negative roles will get their share of recognition, as will the

Best Sports programme
Best kids' show of the year
Best non fiction show of the year
Best thriller / horror show of the year
Best continuing TV show
Best drama series