News Broadcasting
Former US Congressman J C Watts Jr. joins CNN as contributor
MUMBAI: Former US congressman J C Watts Jr will join CNN as a regular contributor to offer analysis on politics and policy for programs throughout the network. The announcement was made by CNN US president Jon Klein.
“J C is one of the most respected and effective conservative communicators in the nation’s capital. We are glad to welcome him to the CNN team and look forward to his insightful contributions to our network,” Klein said.
Watts was elected to the US Congress from the fourth district of Oklahoma in 1994. In 1998, he was elected by his peers to serve as chairman of the Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking leadership position in the majority party in the US House of Representatives.
As a member of Congress, Watts served for eight years on the House Armed Services Committee and later on the House Select Committee on Homeland Security. Watts was the author of president George W Bush’s faith-based initiative, the Community Solutions Act of 2001.
Currently, Watts is the chairman of the J C Watts Companies, where he owns and operates several businesses and works with clients on business growth and public affairs strategies. He advises or serves as a corporate director for several major companies, including John Deere, Wells Fargo, Nascar, SBC Communications, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Clear Channel Communications, Dillard’s Department Stores and Terex Corporation. Watts also writes a bi-monthly column for more than a dozen newspapers.
He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. At Oklahoma, Watts was quarterback for the Sooners, leading them to two consecutive Big Eight championships and Orange Bowl victories.
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.
