News Broadcasting
Govt. scheduled to reintroduce CAS bill Thursday
NEW DELHI: The conditional access system issue will be reintroduced in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) on Thursday, the information and broadcasting ministry announced this evening.
There is still no word as yet though whether the government has managed to work out a consensus on the contentious matter. It was because I&B minister Sushma Swaraj was not sure of getting a consensus to ensure passage through the Rajya Sabha the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2002, that it was not introduced last week.
Swaraj decided to withdraw the bill for wider consultations last week after it became clear that Opposition leaders (with the tacit support of some influential ruling party members) would not allow the bill’s passage without wider discussions.
According to the information available, the left party CPM’s Nilotpaul Basu is slated to speak on the amendment being sought by the government in the Cable TV Networks Regulation Act, 1995.
The amendments to the Act were passed in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) on 15 May through a voice vote.
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.
