News Broadcasting
Playwin to start Maharashtra lottery on 2 Dec
MUMBAI: The much delayed Maharashtra chapter of the Playwin saga is about to unfold finally on 2 December.
Slated to begin earlier this quarter, after the Sikkim and Karnataka online lotteries were rolled out, the Maharashtra lottery has been branded as Megawin and Bonus Ball. According to Playwin officials, outdoor advertising has already been set in place while print and electronic advertising will be rolled out by 25 or 26 November.
While Saatchi&Saatchi have handled the Sikkim lottery account for Playwin, it is Ambience which will handle the Maharashtra online lottery for the company. With Maharashtra in the bag, Playwin has finished the set up for the three states for which it acquired licenses in its first phase of operations.
The focus, say officials, is now to organise ground events for the Maharashtra chapter of online lottery in the last half of the month. While ticket sales have ranged around Rs 150 to Rs 160 million per week thus far, officials estimate the sales to zoom upto Rs 200 to Rs 250 million once the Maharashtra lottery is in place.
Playwin Infravest Pvt Ltd, which has more than 3,000 lottery terminals spread over 14 states, aims to at least triple the number of terminals by next April.
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.
