Satyamev Jayate bags 'Indian of The Year' Award by CNN IBN

India's most influential TV show Satyamev Jayate on Wednesday bagged the prestigious CNN-IBN Indian of The Year – Special Achievement Award 2012 for its path breaking initiative.

This accolade for Satyamev Jayate follows soon after recognition by the Government of India earlier this year. The National Commission had rewarded the show for Scheduled Castes for its efforts to create awareness against social discrimination in October.

Satyamev Jayate won the CNN-IBN 'Indian of The Year' award under Special Achievement category along with Olympian Mary Kom and missile scientist Dr. K.C. Thomas.

Star India CEO Uday Shankar and the Satyamev Jayate team were honoured for their remarkable contribution in highlighting several social ills that continue to plague modern India and to help create awareness against such evils through the pioneering TV program.

"This award is extremely special to us at Star as responses from viewers were critical in deciding a winner. Satyamev Jayate was an initiative to offer a public platform to issues that concern all Indians and it's quite humbling to see these efforts being recognized," Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India said.

Satyamev Jayate was also nominated in the most influential entertainer of the year category for its innovative use of television as a medium for social change. It was a landmark show in Indian television that set new benchmarks from the very first episode earlier this year. Star India was instrumental in helping conceive the show that also demonstrated how TV could be an effective tool to influence social change and empower people.

CNN-IBN Indian of the Year is one of the biggest and the most credible awards that are decided on the basis of votes from the general public as well as the eminent citizens of India. The award has been recognizing outstanding contributions by Indians to nation- building for the past seven years.

The winners were selected through a four-tier process that began with selecting nominees in different categories by senior editors of Network18 which is ratified by a jury consisting of Padma awardees and concluded with polling by citizens from across the globe to choose their favourite Indians.

Satyamev Jayate reached a third of India's population, airing simultaneously in multiple languages. It was the most-talked about show during its 13-week run, questioning social mores, helping shape mindsets and leaving an imprint on the minds of people with compelling tales from everyday life.