News Broadcasting
Vishal Verma is American Desi network CEO
MUMBAI: American Desi, which claims to be the first and only 24-hour English language American television network for South Asians living in the US has announced the appointment of senior management, advisors and on-air talent.
Togther they have over 125 years of relevant experience at such media companies as ABC, NBC, ESPN, Fox PAX-TV.
Vimal Verma is the broadcaster’s chairman and CEO. He used to be with American Express; Rickey Gaffney ias its programming senior VP. He was previously with ABC and ESPN.
American Desi was officially was unveiled with EchoStar Communications Corporation’s Dish Network satellite TV service. It caters to the millions of American residents who hail from India, Pakistan and other culturally similar South Asian backgrounds — one of the fastest-growing and wealthiest population segment in the US.
American Desi also unveiled several featured on-air talent appointees. They include Divya Ohri who will serve as production VP. Ohri becomes American Desi’s senior VP and host of American Desi: Prime Time Live, the flagship show of the network. She will also host Bollywood Fix and co-host of Points of View.
Verma said, “We are extremely proud of the unprecedented and unparalleled team we have assembled both behind and in front of the camera. Never before has such a senior assemblage of Western and South Asian executives and on-air talent been assembled to launch a comprehensive media venture for the Desi community.”
American Desi is a New Jersey-based company. The network claims to be available to more than ten million households through an agreement with EchoStar’s Dish Network satellite television service.
The network’s programming slate includes morning and evening news, movies, sports, magazine shows, late night comedy blocks and issues-based, interactive audience participation programmes that make use of in-person, telephone and computer technologies.
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.
