News Broadcasting
Viewers to decide CNBC-TV18’s top business icons
MUMBAI: Choosing an icon is never an easy task especially in a country like India where many have strived and done their bit to make the country proud.
Economic growth being utmost importance; over the last decades, India has witnessed a flurry of business thinkers turn into history makers, reinventing its economic growth. To salute them, CNBC-TV18, which is celebrating its 15 years, has launched an initiative called Indian Business Icons.
The endeavour is to form a league of the most powerful business icons that the people of the country think have had a monumental impact, not only on their lives, but also on the Indian economy.
The channel has unveiled the list of the top 30 business icons, arrived at by a robust editorial process. The list includes leaders such as Ratan Tata, Anand Mahindra, Kishore Biyani, Deep Kalra and Kiran Majumdar Shaw amongst others.
Asked upon how were the icons shortlisted, a channel spokesperson highlighted, “These names were shortlisted after an extensive process of going through leaders who have impacted Indian economy in the past 15 years. An eminent jury was drawn up that consisted of the top editorial faces at CNBC-TV18 such as Shereen Bhan (managing editor) and Senthil Chengalvarayan (editor in chief) amongst others.”
The initiative will let people have the power to vote for their own business icon, someone who has significantly changed lives, in the past decade and a half via missed calls, Facebook, Twitter and website voting.
The final list of the chosen 15 business icons will be selected on the basis of public voting, which will be audited by independent auditor Grant Thornton.
“We wanted the final list of 15 to be as close to the real truth as possible and decided that the final decision should lie with those who matter – the people of India. Each of these great men have not only impacted the economy at large but have also touched the lives of Indians in many ways. CNBC-TV18, for the first time in India, provided a platform for the public to decide, which leader according to them deserved to make the cut,” added the spokesperson.
To highlight these icons, the channel has created especially packaged short films (two to three minutes) on each of the nominations. These short films have been running on the channel for some time now. Each film looks at the key high points of the nominee’s contribution to the Indian economy in the past 15 years, hence, the reason for their nomination. “It allows our viewers to make a rational decision while voting. Apart from this, our top anchors discuss the dynamic voting results almost on a daily basis as it throws up interesting rankings,” added the spokesperson.
Additionally, an extensive on-air as well as off-air (digital, radio, print and social media) promotional campaign has been designed for the same.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
