News Broadcasting
S1 to launch two channels, ropes in Ambikanand Sahay as head of editorial and news operations
MUMBAI: The Senior Group Companies, which runs a Delhi centric news and current affairs channel S1, has roped in former Sahara Media and Entertainment senior vice president and senior print journalist, Ambikanand Sahay, as head of editorial and news operations.
The Group, which is primarily into real estate business, is planning to launch a national general news and a music channel. The music channel has been christened as S1 Tadka and is set for launch in December. The news channel, to be launched in mid-2006, will be called S1 National.
The Group is planning an ambitious investment of Rs 1.10 billion for the two channels. Says Senior Group chairman Vijay Dixit, “We are planning a bouquet of channels. We are looking at investing approximately Rs 110 crore for these two channels.”
The Senior Group of Companies has inducted Sahay to beef up its existing news channel and future news operations. During his tenure at Sahara, he was responsible for the launch of the NCR and many other regional- centric channels including Sahara Uttaranchal, Sahara Bihar and Sahara Madhya Pradesh. The music channel will be headed Joy Sebastien, who was earlier associated with Jain TV.
According to Delhi cable operators, S1 is facing distribution problems. But Dixit disagrees and claims to have 83.5 per cent connectivity across the national capital region (NCR) region. “We are happy with the distribution of the channel and our own team is handling it. We have no plans to outsource distribution,” he says.
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.
