And the award for the Best News Talk Show goes to...

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Last year, it was a July evening when the first ever News Television Awards were held at a five-star hotel in New Delhi... it was the same day that we had shot our first episode of Zindagi Live. After the shoot, I went to attend the awards ceremony because I was a nominee for the Best News Anchor Award. I knew I wouldn't win the award but being nominated with the likes of Vinod Dua and Ashutosh was an award in itself for me....

That evening I was sitting in the last row.... my director Swaroop was also there...I was dreaming and I suddenly asked him...."Swaroop, do you think Zindagi Live will get any nominations in the next years award function?". Swaroop, obviously to make me happy, said, "Of course it will!!!!" Although a talk show winning an award in its first year seemed like an impossible dream but I dared to dream.... and it doesn't cost you anything. Does it?

I had been dreaming since then...of Zindagi Live winning a television award...the dream finally came true on August 9, 2008...I must confess, I was very scared and nervous...When the first nomination of Zindagi Live was announced in the category for the Best Entertainment Show (Aamir Khan special) and we did not win it, my hopes were partially shattered.... I did not know if it was nominated in any other category...but it was...When I saw that Zindagi Live was again nominated in Best News Talk Show category.... the competition was tough... very tough...I just looked down and closed my eyes and took a deep breath...the next second, Cricketer Madan lal announced the winner and I screamed!!!!! Could not believe my ears.... it was a moment I will never forget all my life....

I must tell you all, that I did not sleep the whole night. I woke up several times to see if the award was really there besides me or had I been dreaming...but this time it wasn't just a dream, it was a dream come true. A dream that my team and I had cherished for a year, a dream that was closest to our heart. A dream that has taught me never to stop dreaming