News Broadcasting
‘Simply Asian’ channel launched in UK
MUMBAI: A new 24-hour entertainment channel called “Simply Asian” was launched in UK on Tuesday.
The channel which claims to be the first free-to-air Asian channel, is available on Sky’s digital platform and requires viewers to purchase a Sky box and dish costing approximately 70 to access the channel.
Apart from offering a variety of programmes in Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi and Tamil, the channel will show two movies a day, comedy, music, entertainment news, Bollywood blockbusters, established religious programming and the first tele-shopping service on an Asian channel in the UK.
A spokesman for the parent company, Simply Television, owned by British businessman Mike Blackwell, said the concept was similar to that of a free newspaper, which funds its operations through advertising and sales revenue, states a report on www.rediff.com.
Simply Television has also created a network of teleshopping and entertainment channels, including Simply Shopping, Simply Nature and Simply Nostalgia.
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.
