News Broadcasting
BroadcastAsia, CommunicAsia get record turnout
MUMBAI: The three trade shows for the broadcast and telecom sectors in Asia BroadcastAsia, CommunicAsia and EnterpriseIT have all manged to achieve their exhibitors objectives of generating new potential business leads and forming partnerships.
The Wi-Fi Technology Forum/- CommunicAsia and EnterpriseIT, which claims to be Asias largest ICT and enterprise technology show closed on 18 June 2004 at the Singapore Expo after being attended by 33,341 visitors, with a 6.4 per cent increase in overseas visitors from 79 countries.
BroadcastAsia, which was held in conjunction with the earlier mentioned shows, managed to get 15 per cent more visitors from abroad with a total of 10,038 visitors from 68 countries. Overall, general sentiments from exhibitors were positive. Many felt that the show was very well-organised and that it attracted a high proportion of quality international trade visitors who were genuinely interested in purchasing or sourcing for new technologies.
Exhibitors were excited that they were able to find new leads. They were impressed by the increase in mainland Chinese exhibitors and overseas visitors. Companies also felt that having these three events at the same time was effective in creating more synergy and broadening the scope of customers.
BroadcastAsia exhibitors were satisfied with the show turnout. Some commented on the fact that they achieved their objective of meeting many potential customers to demonstrate their latest products. At the event Lucent Technologies announced four new contracts worth over $120 million. The company will supply China Telecom, Tata Teleservices, Korea’s KT and Vietnam Power Telecoms (VP Telecom) with network solutions based on Bell Labs technology, the research arm of Lucent. The deal with China Telecom is worth the most at more than $80 million. Under the contract, five of the Chinese provinces, Fujian, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Sichuan and Gansu will be upgrading to the new Personal Handyphone System (PHS) networks supplied by Lucent.
Gemplus tied up with South Korea Telecom to deliver USIM card technology SKTs commercial launch of its 3G W-CDMA network. Gemplus GemXplore 3G USIM cards support mobile commerce transactions and the Visa Smart debit Credit application by VISA International for mobile proximity payment services on USIM card, MONETA, which is also recognized as a credit card in a mobile phone.
Swedish mobile firm Ericsson announced deals and a new regional operation centre in Singapore. The company unveiled a $109 million deal to expand Chinas Guangxi Mobile Communications GSM network in southwestern China. It also revealed a deal with Thailands Advanced Info Service to work on the second phase of its Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (Edge) expansion in the Bangkok metropolitan area and to supply the company with a multimedia messaging service solution.
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.
