News Broadcasting
BBC’s Jana Bennett the keynote speaker at MIPTV, Milia
MUMBAI: BBC Television director Jana Bennett will kick off proceedings at MIPTV and Milia 2004. The event takes place in Cannes from 29 March – 2 April.
In her keynote speech she will dwell on The Future of Television Programming in a Cross-Platform World. Bennett replaces former BBC DG Greg Dyke as the opening keynote speaker. Dyke resigned from the BBC in January following the Hutton report.
In her speech, Bennett will underline the growing importance of convergence to television executives – a subject which is set to be at the heart of this years MIPTV and Milia. Event attendees will come together to explore new business opportunities created by the increasing links between traditional television, digital technology and content, and new distribution platforms.
To facilitate this exchange of views, the Milia 2004 conference programme will offer sessions looking at networked home entertainment, cross-platform content creation, participation television and new distribution opportunities provided by the emerging broadband and mobile channels. In addition, content security solutions, as well as on-line and mobile games, will be featured.
On 31 March, Sony Pictures Digital Networks (US) executive VP Patrick Kennedy will deliver a keynote speech on the Future of Entertainment for the Always-On Generation. Another keynote speech at the event is Mobile ntertainment: The Next Generation. This will examine the impact of mobile telephony on the entertainment industry. The speaker is News Corp senior VP content and marketing Lucy Hood.
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.
