News Broadcasting
Indians score at Television Asia Awards
Karan Thapar, Indian chat show host and head of production company UTV’s current affairs division, has won the Asian Television Award 2000 for Best News/Current Affairs Special for his controversial interview with Pakistan’s Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf. He won the coveted award at a glittering ceremony in Singapore on Thursday night which was broadcast by Singapore Television.
Thapar’s one-hour interview with Musharraf was aired on Doordarshan in February and became a subject of controversy with critics questioning whether the state broadcaster should have given a platform for Pakistan’s military ruler.
Thapar had bagged the Best Current Affairs or Magazine Programme Presenter along with CNBC Asia’s Bettina Chua Abdullah at the 1999 Awards ceremony.
Another winner from India was in the Best Magazine Programme Category. Wheels (Episode 6 – SeriesIV) produced by Miditech (P) Ltd for Star TV took home the award.
In the Best Game Show or Quiz Programme category, Zee Network’s Bournvita Quiz Contest took the runner-up slot. And in the best Infotainment Programme category too, We The People produced by United Television for Star Plus was runner-up.
Other Indian programmes and presenters were highly commended. They include: *Hard Talk India featuring Kapil Dev (Best Current Affairs Programme; UTV for BBC World) *MTV Gai Bab Gao (Bast Game or Quiz Programme; MTV India) *Niret Alva (Best Current Affairs or Magazine Programme Presenter for Miditech Ltd). Alva is getting a high commendation for the second year running.
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.
