NDTV- Aircel Save Our Tigers Telethon Concludes

12 hour television campaign raises Rs. 4.86 crore for Tiger Conservation in India.

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | December 14, 2010

NDTV in association with Aircel embarked upon a unique programming initiative to support its on going “Save Our Tiger” campaign by telecasting a 12-hour nonstop program -The Telethon on its network channels. During the campaign wildlife champions from across the country came forward to extend a hand in saving the national animal and pride of India, the Indian Tiger. Campaign ambassador Amitabh Bachchan along with Dr. Prannoy Roy, Chairman, NDTV and Vikram Chandra highlighted the key issues of tiger conservation and keenly monitored events across the country from the central hub at Pench, Tiger Reserve from 11am to 11pm on Sunday 12^th December.

This effort for India's national animal received an overwhelming response with people from across the country generating over Rs 4.86 crores. Some of the generous donors  along with Hemendre Kothari were Bhaichung Bhutia, Abhishek Bachchan, Nitin Gadkari, Diya Mirza, Manish Malhotra, Soli Sorabjee, Priya Dutt, industry body CII, and coporates such as Westside. Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan donated Rs 28 Lakh and also auctioned his Cartier watch and 2 pairs of designer glasses which raised another Rs. 8.45 lakhs .

In an extremely heartwarming move, children of Chirec school from Hyderabad raised Rs. 2.2 lakhs for contributing to the campaign.

NDTV and Aircel have been campaigning to save our tigers, highlighting all the major issues and taking the critical agenda to the Chief Ministers of all tiger states for the last 1 year. The 12 hour telethon was the final event to raise money to create Rapid Response Teams - RRTs who will be equipped to protect the country's tigers and respond to any emergency in and around the tiger parks by the Wildlife Conservation Trust

According to Dr. Anish Andheria, Director , Wildlife Conservation Trust, the funds raised in this telethon are  sufficient to create and deploy 35 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and cover all the Tiger Reserves across the country.

A very insightful Amitabh Bachchan said, “I congratulate NDTV and Aircel for their commitment to saving the tigers. A year back when this campaign started I felt honoured to be a part of it; and today I can see the efforts over the year bear fruit. The donations from this 12 hour Telethon would be of immense help in providing the infrastructure required for consistent operations and activities in tiger conservation.”

NDTV Chairman, Dr. Prannoy Roy said, “"NDTV is overwhelmed by the nationwide response. We are most pleased that the Tigerthon achieved three aims: to raise awareness and initiate action on the ground, to get Chief Ministers to pledge support to save the tiger and, most exciting, the full-day Tiger Conclave by CII, all political parties and tiger experts which hopefully will lead to Project Tiger 2."

Commenting on the initiative Gurdeep Singh , COO, Aircel added,  “We would like to thank each and everyone who came forward and supported the cause. The level of participation and support for our national animal, the Tiger is over whelming. Aircel's support to the cause is long term and we will continue to build on our efforts to save our tigers.”

This 12 hour television programming dedicated to tigers comprised of nationwide ground level activities involving school children and youth, celebrity chats, interaction with the viewers, performances and live reports urging Chief Ministers to show their solidarity towards the cause and act now to save our tigers.

The two satellite hubs Ranthambore and Kabini, got a very warm and hearty response from the young participants the various competitions like elocution, poetry recitation, animal mimicry, music and skits.

The India Gate lawns in Delhi saw people from various age groups participate in the Tiger Stamp competition. The participants and audience were later entertained by a puppet show Gali Gali Sim Sim. There were also zestful live band performances and the evening concluded with the performance by the very soothing vocals of Mohit Chauhan. While Mumbai was equally kept alive and kicking by stellar performances by Salim Suleiman and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's band “NINE”.

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