New Delhi, November 26, 2009: In its fourth year, CNN-IBN Indian of the Year ‘09 carries a host of distinguished names in its list of nominees in the Category of Public Service. Exemplary levels of social consciousness, a larger world view and an absolutely selfless perspective on life are just some of the shining attributes of the public service category nominees for the biggest and the most credible awards in the Indian media. They have enriched other people’s lives through innovative ideas and hard work and made a real difference to the society at large, without ever being concerned for personal fame or gains.

These nominees, who were the unanimous choice of the jury, together define a brand new India – one which is upbeat, resurgent and dynamic. The nominees for CNN-IBN Indian of The Year ‘09 in the category of Public Service are:

• ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORMS: For its outstanding contribution in making the Indian electoral process more transparent and fair.
• NAAZ FOUNDATION: For their relentless fight to ensure equal rights for homosexuals, and through their efforts forcing an amendment of the criminal law.
• PRATHAM: For their outstanding contribution in the field of universal literacy and education amongst children.
• ECOSPHERE SPITI: For pioneering a unique collaboration of locals and professionals to save Spiti's ecology.
• DR DEVI SHETTY: For outstanding contribution in providing affordable, high quality cardiac care for the masses.
• ANNA HAZARE: For consistently carrying out campaigns against corruption in public life and the importance of strengthening RTI.

Viewers and citizens can cast their votes for their favourite sports nominee by logging on to www.indianoftheyear.com - a specially created micro site for the awards. Can also vote through SMS by typing IOTY to 51818 and can call through IVRS on 5051818 and on 1255518(for MTNL mobile, BSNL mobile & landline users). Voting closes on 11th December mid night.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN18 Network said, “One of our key objectives and driving forces behind these awards has been to try and make them as credible as possible. The procedure undertaken for selecting and short listing the nominees for CNN-IBN Indian of the Year ‘09 awards underlines complete transparency. We look forward to honouring and awarding the achievers”.

About Network 18
Network18 [BSE: 532798,NSE: Network18] is one of India's leading full play media conglomerates with interests in television, print, internet, filmed entertainment, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its holding in Television Eighteen India Ltd (TV18) [BSE: 532299, NSE: TV-18], Network18 operates India’s leading business news television channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz. It also runs one of India’s largest Internet players - Web18, as well as one of India’s leading real time financial information and news terminals - Newswire18. TV18 has recently expanded into print with Infomedia18, a newly formed entity following the acquisition of Infomedia, India's leading player in the special interest publishing and printing operations space.TV18 has also announced collaboration with Forbes media for the launch of a business magazine in India. Through its holding in ibn18 Broadcast Ltd (ibn18) [BSE: 532800,NSE: ibn18], Network18 operates in the general news and entertainment space with leading general news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7 and has launched IBN Lokmat, a Marathi news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group. ibn18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18 which houses the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon channels in India - as also Studio18, the Group’s filmed entertainment operation and has launched ‘Colors’, a Hindi general entertainment channel. Additionally, Network18 holds the Group’s online & on-air home shopping venture, Homeshop18 and its full spectrum events management venture, E18.