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Smriti readies for poll battle in Delhi
MUMBAI: Popular TV serial actor Smriti Z Iraani aka Tulsi of Balaji Telefilms’ flagship show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi will be the BJP candidate in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk constitutency and will contest Kapil Sibal of the Congress in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
PTI reports say Iraani’s name has been approved by BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu.
Confirming the same to indiantelevision.com, Iraani said that she received the confirmation from the party head office early this morning. “I had no two minds while saying yes. Ever since I put my first foot forward in this field, I have been committed and will continue to do so.”
Iraani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in January this year, and has been one of the party’s earliest prize celebrity catches. She was appointed vice president of the party’s youth wing for a tenure of three years.
Iraani sounded tremendously upbeat and said that she would give a run for Sibal a run for his money. “Expect a tough fight from my side,” she said, adding, “The campaigning will be very fair and the BJP will not resort to any gimmicks.”
With her political career graph on the rise, what would she do if she won? Stay in Delhi? What would happen to her acting career? Iraani agreed that this was not an easy job because it would require her to serve the people of her constituency, but said she was confident that everything would fall in place when the time comes. “I can assure you of that,” she promised.
“There were only three tickets left when I was chosen and I am happy that the BJP has chosen me to serve from Delhi where I spent 22 years of my life,” concluded the 28-year old Iraani.
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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.
