News Broadcasting
Govt asks broadcasters to sensitise audience about North-East Indians
MUMBAI: The sad demise of 19-year-old Nido Tania in Delhi has created a furore all over. The gory incident has just not got the protestors on the streets to seek justice for the slain student, but has even put the government on a hyperactive active mode. Considering the rising instances of bias against the North Eastern community, the Home Ministry has sent a letter to various broadcasting bodies in the country asking them to sensitise the TV audiences about the culture of the North East.
Since the seven states of North East India don’t get much prominence on the channels, the Ministry has requested them to come up with programmes centered on NE citizens and culture. The Ministry is of the opinion that the migrated population from the region ‘might be getting treated differently due to their different culture’ that include their typical physical features, culture, food habits and dressing sense. It has also advised the news channels to send journalists to the NE region to cover its issues and also increase interaction with those who have migrated to different cities.
A broadcaster, however, says that from a business point of view, it is too expensive to cover the region. He points out that since the TV ratings agency TAM does not cover the entire region, except few parts of Assam, it becomes difficult to keep a tab on TVTs. Secondly, the area doesn’t have many advertisers, except for few tea brands.
For now, the letters have been sent out to the various broadcasting bodies such as the News Broadcasters Association and the Indian Broadcasting Federation. They will have to think about whether or not they would want to take up the suggestion by the Ministry.
Nido Tania, son of an Arunachal Pradesh Congressman in Delhi, was killed during an argument with a shopkeeper over his hair colour.
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.
