News Broadcasting
In the wake of elections, BBC Hindi launches three new series
MUMBAI: In the wake of the upcoming elections, BBC Hindi service, radio and online, will bring in-depth and comprehensive coverage of the elections. The service, which currently has the Voice of the People road show touring Bihar, is also broadcasting three series especially for the election featuring the former prime minister I K Gujral and discussing India’s democracy and voting tradition.
Over the next eight weeks starting Wednesday, 25 March Gujral discusses the elections, weaving in the electoral dynamics of India’s democracy into his own busy political past. Gujral’s radio programme will be accompanied by a regular column on BBC Hindi’s popular website bbchindi.com.
In Aap Ke Mudde, Aap Ka Chunav also starting on 25 March, BBC Hindi radio editor Shivkant travels across India exploring how democracy interplays with different aspects of life. In the 25 part series, Shivkant compares voting trends by caste, region and social groups throughout the years. He discusses with politicians the key issues affecting India and speaks to young people, who make up more than half of the voting population, about their concerns and aspirations. Shivkant also explores how women vote and what their expectations are.
Starting on Friday, 2 April social scientist, Yogendra Yadav navigates listeners through the diversity and complexity of Indian democracy in Sansad Ki Raah. This 25 part series analyses the impact of the election on the major states of India, examines the electoral battleground and looks back on past elections. Each programme explores the nature of party competition including how political and social alliances are formed and develop. Yogendra also looks at the challenges ahead for the winning political party and explores the possibility of a caste alignment.
BBC Hindi head Achala Sharma says, “With our radio and online coverage we will ensure that Hindi-speaking audiences globally are engaged with the election story as it unfolds. But more importantly, we will give visitors to bbchindi.com the opportunity to put across their views and contribute to the debate on key issues affecting them in this vote.
The three new series are in addition to extensive news and current affairs coverage of the election on BBC Hindi radio and online.
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.
