News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak CEO is Media Person of 2001
Aaj Tak, the 24-hour news channel, is reaping the rewards of the hard work put in the year gone by. Helped along by events that pushed news channels to the forefront, Aaj Tak claimed a 156 per cent increase in its viewership post 11 September.
As the year drew to a close, CEO G Krishnan bagged the Media Person of the Year Award for the year 2001 at the Media meet Award ceremony. Media Meet, the association of advertisers and media professionals, conferred the award upon him during its 7th Awards ceremony, held at Mumbai on 28 December.
Aaj Tak completed a year of operations on 31 December and claims to be the leading news channel with a channel-share of 53 per cent and a connectivity of more than 24 million households.
The same function saw the Media Planner of the Year 2001 award going to Jeffrey Crasto of Euro-RSCG Advertising.
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.
