News Broadcasting
Stephen Sackur replaces Tim Sebastian on ‘Hardtalk’
MUMBAI: News broadcaster The BBC has announced that Stephen Sackur will be the new host of the current affairs show Hardtalk.
He replaces Tim Sebastian who decided to step down in order to concentrate on other projects for the BBC. Two years ago Sebastian had visited India on a promotional tour. Sebastian had presented Hardtalk since it began in March 1997.
Sackur takes over from 18 April 2005. He is currently based in Brussels, Belgium, as the BBC’s Europe correspondent. He will move to BBC Television Centre in London.
Sackur says, “This is a huge challenge for me. I have spent the past 15 years as a foreign correspondent, representing the BBC abroad, and am very much aware of the massive pulling power of Hardtalk. I’ve met many world leaders, all of whom respect Hardtalk.
“I can think of no bigger programme to get involved with. I’ve had pretty much the best job in the BBC as a foreign correspondent, and the only way of topping it is through Hardtalk, putting tough questions to the people who shape our world.”
Sebastian said, “It has been an enormous privilege to ask leading questions and to travel the world trying to get answers. We have left some bruised political egos in our wake, and some important feathers ruffled. I wish Stephen luck and I hope very much that viewers will give him their support.”
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.
