News Broadcasting
Broadcasters to meet Swaraj to discuss CAS
NEW DELHI: Broadcasters, mostly operating pay channels in India, are slated to meet India’s information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj in the first week of January 2003 on the issue of conditional access system (CAS).
According to government sources, the broadcasters have requested for an audience with the minister on CAS and its implementation.
Despite opposition from certain quarters in the broadcasting sector, Swaraj has seen to it that CAS has got the full nod of Parliament and her ministry is now looking at an early rollout of CAS in the four metros in the first phase.
Though the broadcasters would have liked an appointment with the minister sooner than the scheduled one, government sources said the minister probably does not have much time between now and the tentative date which has been zeroed down upon.
At the time when CAS was okayed by Rajya Sabha (Upper House) earlier this month, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, an apex body broadcasters operating in India, had said that its members “fully support CAS” and would cooperate with the government in facilitating “a smooth transition to CAS regime.”
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.
