~ Honouring India’s Iconic Achievers of 2014~

New Delhi,March 11, 2015: CNN-IBN is back with the ninth edition of its flagship initiative, CNN-IBN Indian of the Year, which over the years has become one of the biggest and most credible awards in Indian media. The award salutes iconic Indians who have made a significant contribution to India in the last calendar year. Hindustan Times has been the Editorial partner of this initiative since its inception in 2006.

The year 2014 has been a momentous year in the history of India and has given rise to a set of role models who have been true ambassadors of brand India. These luminaries who have contributed to strengthening the foundation of our society in their own way are chosen from six different categories – Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Public Service and Global Indian. The winners of these will be felicitated at a glittering ceremony to be held at Taj Palace, New Delhi on 17 March, 2015 by the honourable Vice President of India, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari who has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest.

Instituted in 2006, ‘CNN-IBN Indian of the Year’ has been the benchmark for credibility and transparency for providing complete information about the process of nomination and selection of the final winners. The selection criteria adheres to a unique and transparent process which includes nominations from the Network18 editorial board, ratified by a Jury panel consisting of a select group of distinguished personalities bestowed with the most prestigious Padma honours – former Attorney General of India Padma Vibhushan Soli Sorabjee (Jury Chairman), Padma Bhushan Deepak S Parekh (Chairman, HDFC), Padma Shri & 4-time National Award winner Actor Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair, former President of NASSCOM Padma Shri Kiran Karnik and Indian Tennis Champion Padma Shri Leander Paes.

Over the years, the recipients of this prestigious award have included the NGO Stop Acid Attacks (2013), Indian Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (2012), Anna Hazare (2011), Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (2010), A R Rahman(2009), G Madhavan Nair (2008), E Sreedharan (2007) and Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006).

 Speaking on the occasion, Avinash Kaul, CEO, IBN Network said, “We take immense pride in announcing the ninth edition of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Awards. We have created a benchmark in lauding the most influential, deserving and dynamic Indians, over the years. The success of the award in the past has raised the bar for this initiative and we are looking forward to a great show this year again.”

Radhakrishnan Nair, Managing Editor, CNN-IBN, shares his views about the award, saying, “Indian of the Year is our endeavour to acknowledge achievers, who have been exceptional in their respective fields in the last calendar year. We at CNN-IBN are privileged to bring them to the fore as an inspiration to others and honour them with these awards.”

All the details of the event including the nominees in each category can be viewed at www.indianoftheyear.com.

 

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