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DD to telecast documentary on Tsunami on 25 December
MUMBAI: On the first anniversary of the natural disaster that affected millions, DD is paying tribute in the form of a documentary directed by Kevin Sim. The film tells the story of the Asian tsunami directly through the experience of those who were deeply affected by it.
Co-produced by FBC Media Pvt. Ltd, the documentary Tsunami: Wave of Disaster will be telecast on 25 December at 10:00 pm. This has been the second co-production between the Mumbai based FBC Media Pvt. Ltd and Diverse with the last project being, Indian Finishing School, for Channel 4, UK.
Powerfully told through individual testimony, Tsunami: Waves Of Disaster unfolds the personal story of the tragedy. It’s as close as one can get, through a documentary, to watching the catastrophe unfold through the eyes of the survivors, states an official release.
With tens of thousands of western tourists enjoying a Christmas on the beach, the most destructive wave in history was just a few hours away. Few people had any clue then of what was about to happen.
Yet for the Onge tribe – on a small island in the Indian Ocean – they knew all was not well. Believing that the earth and the oceans rest on a giant tree, which is sometimes shaken by evil spirits, they are constantly vigilant for signs of impending natural disaster, the release adds.
The Onge trust the natural world and regard natural disasters as proof of God’s displeasure with man. One fisherman notes: “You have an account in the bank, we have one in the sea. It was a great shock that a sea that meant so much to us would do this.”
In Banda Aceh, Indonesia just before eight o’clock local time an earthquake struck. The city of Banda Aceh on the Western tip of Sumatra was just sixty miles from the epicenter. A short time afterwards, one local child recalls: “They shouted, ‘the sea water is coming’ People were screaming and then I saw itI thought doomsday had arrived.” The waters hit whilst he was in the mosque and he held on to the walls with all his might.
In marked contrast, the Onge saw what they thought were signals of impending trouble and headed for the forests inland. One tribesman notes: “We remembered what our ancestors taught us. That land and sea always fight over boundaries.”
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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.
