News Broadcasting
Star News expands morning band with ‘Pehli Khabar’
MUMBAI: Starting 9 January, Star News will overhaul its morning news band by launching Pehli Khabar from 5 am to 8 am. With the aim of building on Star Savera, the channel has expanded its morning band.
With this variation, the channel will telecast its branded show Star Savera from 8 am to 11 am, which initially aired at 6:30 am to 9 am. Good Morning India show, which aired on Star News (NDTV was then providing content to Star News) had paved the way for the launch of breakfast news.
Star News has designed the wake-up news keeping in mind that its audience will receive fresh slice of news. Pehli Khabar will provide news from across the world and also provide a first glimpse of all the events and happenings that unfolded the night before. The new arrangement has been designed, at least in part, to broaden the morning news band scope with general news stories that appeal the audience.
Star Savera will look forward at the day ahead and delve into the news focussing on people, sports, crime, politics, civic life and the general buzz.
Star News CEO Uday Shankar says “We felt that starting a fresh broadcast at 6.00am was too late since most alive & health conscious urban Indians are up and about much before. Pehli Khabar is an attempt to connect them with their world just as their day begins. The shift in programming scheduling is in line with the evolving news consumption habits of viewers”
He further added that there has been a ‘need gap that existed’, which prompted the network to initiate in filling the space.
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.
