Standing up for a cause

BANGALORE: Supporting and promoting the critical issue, NDTV, in partnership with Coca-Cola India, CAF and UN-Habitat, launched the ‘Support My School’ campaign with an to attempt to create Awareness on water and sanitation, environment and healthy, active living in India.Taking the campaign to the next level, NDTV has announced a 12-hour live Telethon across its network channels on September 18, from 9 am to 9 pm to raise funds for water, sanitation and infrastructural provisions for schools across India.Through the initiative, NDTV aims to reach out to over 50-100 schools in India, across eight states, and work towards betterment in the areas of sanitation and health, sports and recreation facilities and improvement in overall infrastructure and environment.Campaign Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar added, “This campaign is very close to my heart because we all know how important it is to support education and provide a proper platform.It is disappointing, though a reality, to see that girls don’t get to school in rural areas because of lack of facilities…” Support comes in from all corners of the country as our Bollywood celebrities, young and old, join in to create awareness and raise funds for this noble cause.While Sanjay Dutt plays host to the Telethon, Govinda and Shabbir Ahluwalia would engage the audiences with their entertaining performances.Young Darsheel Safary would also join the veterans appealing to citizens to contribute wholeheartedly in making the event a success.Telethon highlights: ■ Opening act with Darsheel Safary and Shankar Mahadeva ■ Sachin ki Paathshala — an interactive session where the master blaster will share his gyaan with children joining in live from across the country.■ Special capsule on the schools that were revamped under the campaign.■ Quiz show with school children on the facts related to Sachin Tendulkar hosted by NDTV sports editor Sonali Chander and Bollywood actor Boman Irani.■ Live coverage of the walkathon in Cochin organised by Chinmaya School to raise funds.