News Broadcasting
GSLV-F-01 carrying Edusat launched
NEW DELHI: The geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-F-01), carrying Edusat, India’s exclusive satellite for educational services, was launched from the space centre at Srharikota here today at 4.01 pm.
The GSLV-F-01, carrying the 1950-kg satellite, soared majestically into the sky, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, Press Trust of India reported today.
As the 49-metre-tall three-stage GSLV, weighing 414 tonnes, rose into the sky from this spindle-shaped island, off Bay of Bengal, there was jubilation all round with many scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation, hugging each other and clapping their hands.
The GSLV will place the satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) within a few minutes after the lift-off, and from GTO, the satellite would reach the 36,000 km high Geostationary Orbit (GSO), by firing, in stages, its on-board Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM).
In GSO, the satellite will be co-located with Kalpana-1 and INSAT-3C satellites.
Built for a mission life of seven years, the Edusat is mainly intended to meet the demand for an interactive satellite-based distance education system for the country.
The exclusive satellite project will be utilised to demonstrate the concept of “multicasting” interactive multimedia for the educational sector. It will have multiple beams, with one Ku-band transponder covering the entire footprint of the country, while five Ku-band transponders will provide spot beams directed in four different regions (north, south, west and east, including north-east).
In addition, Edusat will carry six C-band transponders for other communication and broadcasting services covering the entire country.
The dedicated satellite will become operational in three months after it is deployed in the geo-orbit and we hope the first phase of the programme will be implemented before the end of the current fiscal (2004-05).
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.
