“India Now! is a brand-new exciting, rich and entertaining half hour of news, culture and politics from India and the subcontinent, from the makers of Planet America and China Tonight,” ABC TV said in a statement.
The series to start on Monday will be hosted by Marc Fennell, an Australian journalist, author and television presenter. Fennell is a co-anchor of The Feed and the host of Mastermind at SBS.
Senior Australian journalist Stan Grant will be doing the key interviews while Avani Dias will provide news headlines from New Delhi.
According to the statement, in the first episode, comedian Amit Tandon and paediatrician Dr Shanti Raman will join the panel to look at the Indian education systems, and how many migrants do not get the jobs they are qualified for in Australia.
“Plus, we’ll look at India’s growing stand-up comedy scene, and Avani Dias joins the show from New Delhi to share the latest news out of South Asia,” ABC TV said.
“For new arrivals, to long-settled migrants, and anyone interested in one of the most populous and fascinating places in the world – we bring the subcontinent to you,” it added.
India has become more important than ever for Australia as the Indian diaspora is the fastest growing community. The two countries signed a historic trade agreement earlier this year, aiming to double the mutual trade in five years.
“This is groundbreaking on so many levels – a 30mins x 6 episodes series dedicated to India, and the subcontinent has never before aired on Australian TV,” said Ana Tiwary, the series producer.
“As Australia’s relationship continues to grow at a rapid rate, and with ever-closer ties at a government level, the show will be informative, always entertaining and told through stories and the people from India and the region,” ABC said.
The show will start on Monday 30 May at 9.30 pm. It will also air on the ABC NEWS channel Tuesdays at 8 pm AEST and Saturdays at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm AEST.
