News Broadcasting
Prasar Bharati CEO Sarma elected ABU vice-president
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma has been elected vice-president of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) for a three-year term. Sarma was elected for the post un-opposed at the 39th general assembly of the ABU, which opened in Tokyo yesterday.
Sarma’s election underlines the importance of India’s role in shaping the future of public service broadcasting in the world’s fastest developing Asia-Pacific region, according to a Prasar Bharati press release.
Gemstar CEO Henry Yuen resigned last month after an accounting review by the board’s audit committee, and last week the company fired its accounting firm, KPMG LLP.
The ABU is made up of 100 broadcasters from 49 nations and territories of the Asia and Pacific region. It provides a platform for cooperation in the field of news and programme exchange, acquisition of broadcast rights, training and technical consultancy.
National broadcaster Doordarshan and All India Radio are among the most active members of the ABU, the release says.
The focus of the 39th General Assembly in Tokyo is on the role of broadcasting in the 21st century and how broadcasting can solve such global issues such as education and environment. More than 400 delegates are attending the current ABU general assembly.
Prasar Bharati is being represented by Sarma, director general Doordarshan Dr SY Quraishi and Doordarshan engineer-in-chief RK Gupta.
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.
