Seeks to enable selected civilians to become first responders in case of emergency situations post intense physical/mental training by former special forces experts
India’s leading destination for factual entertainment Discovery Channel will premiere ‘India’s Citizen Squad’, a first of its kind military-based show, featuring selected civilians who are eager to change Indian society for the better. The 12-member strong India’s Citizen Squad, selected from thousands of entries, will under-go an ultimate endurance boot camp – comprising of intense physical and mental challenges – under the supervision of former special forces experts. This training will help these civilians to become first responders in case of emergency situations. The 5-episode series premiers November 30 at 9:00 pm on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD World.
The selected contestants have varied backgrounds including an engineer, sports management professional, doctor, martial arts trainer, fitness enthusiast and a budding journalist. The India’s Citizen Squad has representation across the country including Delhi, Uttarakhand, Mumbai, Kashmir, Haryana, Karnataka, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. They will undergo training at a specially created India’s Citizen Squad camp to be headed by Col. Manish Sarin, a veteran from the Gorkha Rifles, and along with him will be 5 ex-special forces soldiers from the MARCOS, NSG and the Para SF.
India’s Citizen Squad has attracted marquee advertisers including LIC, Indian Oil Corporation India and Bajaj Dominar 400 as Co-Powered by Sponsors.
“India’s Citizen Squad is much more than a TV show – it is an attempt to inspire citizens to start a movement wherein each one of us comes forward and respond in case of an emergency even before the official help comes in. The Indian Citizen Squad, after getting intensive training, will be motivated and geared to be the exemplary citizen and set an example for others to emulate,” said, Zulfia Waris, V.P Premium & Digital networks, Discovery Communications India.
Col. Manish Sarin, Camp Commander of India’s Citizen Squad, said, “The concept of India’s Citizen Squad intrigued me. Imagine a bunch of youngsters, willing to go through the toughest of training, just so that they can contribute better as citizens. What would drive them to push themselves so hard, and whether they would really be able to walk the talk. To me, it is a test of faith in India’s youth.”
India’s Citizen Squad will premiere on Discovery Channel, Discovery HD World and on Veer by Discovery, India’s first dedicated military channel available on YouTube.