News Broadcasting
Ashu Dutt calls it quits with CNBC TV-18
MUMBAI: The churning in the news channels continue. CNBC TV-18’s Ashu Dutt, an established anchor on the business channel has called it quits.
When contacted, Dutt refrained from commenting on his exit. Television Eighteen CEO Haresh Chawla, however, said, “Ashu has decided to take on other opportunities and we wish him all the best.”
Beyond that Chawla did not say much, trying to downplay Dutt’s exit. Industry sources also indicated that Television Eighteen’s plans to launch a Hindi business channel, along with CNBC, may also get delayed from the projected launch time of end-2004.
Meanwhile, among his diverse assignments, Ashu has been CEO and director on the Board of Sab TV, business and financial markets anchor and business news consultant to Star News. On the corporate side, he has been a principal and head of the Media and Entertainment Practice for Heidrick & Struggles.
Currently, Dutt is working on three books for Penguin, the subjects focussing on financial markets.
At Star News — at a time when content was being provided by NDTV— Dutt spearheaded the conception of a number of business and financial news segments and anchored Star Business News. Interestingly, Dutt was never a full-time employee of TV-18 and was appointed to overlook the editorial for personal finance shows like Insurance, Intelligence, Mutual Fund Investor and Classroom. A contractual agreement with TV 18 gave Dutt the freedom to pursue other businesses.
Industry sources, though, did say that Dutt’s exit would be a loss to the business news channel, considering Dutt’s experience and cachet in the financial markets.
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.
