News Broadcasting
Aunty Beeb urges viewers to turn photojournalists
LONDON: There was a time when the picture that came up when one thought of Aunty Beeb was that of an old lady in flannel frocks and swathes of clothing. No more! These days, Aunty Beeb is ‘hep’, ‘hitech’ and ‘extremely with it’. Consider her latest initiative to increase interactivity as far as the consumer is concerned: viewers can click pictures and post it on the BBC website.
Lay people can become genuine and proper reporters and send pictures to the BBC website. The occasion: the anti-war demonstrations that are to take place globally over this weekend.
Readers can take pictures with their MMS phones or with regular digital cameras and send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. The only condition, the Beeb’s BBCi arm is laying is that the pictures have to be full pictures (640×480 pixels), mentioning the name of the photographer and the context in which it was shot. BBCi is seeking the protesters’ viewpoint as they take out marches against any military action against Iraq.
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.
