News Broadcasting
BBC to host conference on Africa
MUMBAI: UK broadcaster the BBC and the Corporation of London will host a major one day conference BBC Africa 2015 on 18 March 2005, at The Guildhall in London.
Coming after the Government-led Africa Commission report and the tenth Red Nose Day for Comic Relief, the event will focus on the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals for Africa and will deliver an honest and transparent review of progress and a closer look at commitments for the future to help transform Africa into a vibrant business and cultural centre.
One session at the event will consider the roles of the media and business in securing a more sustainable, integrated and secure future for Africa. Keynote speakers at the conference will include BBC Chairman Michael Grade, Sir Bob Geldof, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, Lord David Puttnam and Nestle chairman and CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathé.
The conference will be attended by more than 500 senior leaders from the diplomatic community, politics, business, NGOs, charities and public bodies, the international development community and the media. The sessions will be hosted by BBC Foreign Affairs correspondent Fergal Keane and BBC Economics Editor Evan Davis.
World music superstar Baaba Maal is flying in from Senegal to close the conference.
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.
