Lead India was a television show in the form of talent search for the next leader of India. The show started on 8 December 2007 and lasted until 9 February 2008. It was broadcast on STAR One every Saturday evening. The initiative for this show came from The Times of India Group and marked the 60 years Independence of India. Every citizen of India aged 25 to 45 could participate in the contest, and after successfully completing the three stages of the contest, gain the opportunity to take part in the following assembly elections in India. Furthermore, the winner was awarded a seat on the leadership and politics course at Harvard University, and a financial award of Rs 50 lakh for a project of public welfare. Lead India was hosted by the famous actor
Anupam Kher
. The jury consisted of three members:
Javed Akhtar
,
Kiran Bedi
and
Vikas Singh
. The jury selected eight contestants in the finals,
Saumya Mishra
,
Sanjiv Kaura
,
Dipayan Dey
,
Ujjwal Banerjee
,
Ranjit Gadgil
,
Devang Nanavati
, R.K.Misra and
Abha Singh
. The final episode had two contestants: R.K.Misra and Devang Nanavati, and the winner was R.K.Misra. The winner of the show was announced by the former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Lead India provided a public recognition to the winner R.K.Misra after which he started an initiative called Change India Initiative which would help the citizens of India become more aware and engaged in public policy and electoral policy in India.