MUMBAI: ATN International, which is poised to launch its new channel Ahimsaa on 2 October, 2003, has struck a deal with Fifth Avenue Media Services for distribution of its upcoming channel Ahimsaa in India as well as overseas.

The company informed the BSE that an agreement with the Government of India, Department of Space for telecasting the channel through Teleport of Noida Software Technology Park Ltd (NSTPL) by using INSAT - 3A Satellite is already in place.

The 24-hour predominantly Hindi global satellite television channel was originally reported to kick-off first on 30 January 2003, then on 15 August 2003 and is now scheduled for launch on 2 October.

Ahimsaa is promoted by Kolkata-based Santosh Kumar Jain, who besides being a partner in Aastha Television and CMM Music has also launched ATN World and ATN Bangla in West Bengal. It is being backed by The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, headquartered in Mount Abu, India.

The channel will telecast talks on Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and other religions. For women, there would be special shows like the gourmet special Aah Kya Swad , Ghar Beethe on self-employment opportunities and Haq on legal issues.