News Broadcasting
Few shareholders tender Network 18 and TV18 shares against Reliance open offer
BENGALURU: A small fraction of the shareholders tendered their shares to the Reliance Industries led Independent Media Trust (IMT), in its bid to acquire over 90 per cent stake in the two companies – TV18 Broadcast and Network 18 Media & Investments.
Only 54 lakh TV18 Broadcast shares representing 0.32 per cent were tendered against the 44.65 crore shares representing 26 per cent that Reliance proposed to buy , and a meager 2.6 lakh Network 18 shares representing just 0.2 per cent of the shareholding were tendered. IMT spent just Rs 16.43 crore for the TV 18 tendered shares and Rs 1.06 crore for the Network 18 shares. IMT’s offer was Rs 30.18 per TV18 Broadcast equity share and Rs 41.04 per Network 18 equity share.
The new acquisitions brought IMT/Reliance group’s stake in TV18 Broadcast to 60.29 per cent and to 78.07 per cent in Network 18.
Reliance may have to sell off some Network 18 shares to meet the minimum shareholding norms of 25 per cent. At present, the public shareholding in the company stands at 20.27 per cent.
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.
