The Hindu : New Delhi News : Entertainment to get educative

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Friday, Sep 01, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Entertainment to get educative

A UNIQUE QUIZ: Sachin Khedekar as quizmaster

Science is not a subject that is meant for routine learning in schools and then to be forgotten. With that in mind, UTV has tied up with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Vigyan Prasar to produce a unique quiz show, "Chamatkar", to showcase the best quizzing brains in the country.

The first part of the 26-episode serial will be aired on Doordarshan I (DD-I) this coming Sunday at 9 a.m. An innovative series that intends to introduce science to viewers in a non-intimidating way, "Chamatkar" will try to make this serious subject look much more exciting.

The idea behind "Chamatkar" is that it should be different from other quiz shows where complicated questions are asked with very little explanations. As the series aims at explaining the basics of science to the layman, questions related to things that we see around us will be asked, allowing participants and viewers to explore the world of science in every part of their lives and understand how it works. Principles of science will be illustrated with experiments performed on the set.

Speaking about this quiz show, UTV Chief Operating Officer Ronald D'Mello says that through the series the channel plans to provide a refreshers' course on the fundamentals in science all over again, which will appeal to a larger target audience. "At UTV we pride ourselves in our ability to produce content across a variety of genres and with Chamatkar we are excited to be working on the unique concept of a science quiz show," he adds.

The anchor of the show, Sachin Khedekar, says being an environment engineer himself it gives him immense pleasure to be associated with Chamatkar that aims at educating and entertaining simultaneously. B. S. Bhatia, Director of the Development and Educational Communication Unit of ISRO, says his organisation is happy to be associated with UTV through this quiz show and looks forward to making science easy and relatable for viewers.

The series begins with the preliminary rounds of West Zone and will be followed by the West Zonal finals. The pattern will be repeated in the other four zones -- South, North, East and Central. It will finally end with the zonal finalists competing in the national finals. -- Madhur Tankha

-- Madhur Tankha

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