News Broadcasting
Synergy to help Star find India’s ‘Child Genius’
MUMBAI: Star World is set to accommodate an indigenously produced show after a long time, to give the only desi produced programme Rendezvous with Simi Garewal currently on air, some company.
Siddhartha Basu’s Synergy Communications will be back on Star by this April or May with a child talent hunt. Star officials however said the time slot and the exact date of launch of Child Genius is yet to be finalised.
After the dud Neena Gupta anchored Kamzor Kadii Kaun that followed the blockbuster Kaun Banega Crorepati in early 2002, Basu and Star had stayed away from each other, although Basu did make University Challenge for BBC World mid 2003.
Now, Synergy has been roped in to produce India’s Child Genius, a 27 episode TV quiz contest to find India’s brainiest child. The hour long weekly will have contestants answer questions on verbal and non- verbal reasoning, maths, science, natural world, geography, history, mythology, literature, comprehension, spellings, arts, English language and general knowledge. Apart from the title, prizes worth Rs 50,00,000 are at stake.
Siddhartha Basu
Provisional test centres have already been set up according to zones and the written selection test will be conducted on 8 February. Star has thrown open its website indya.com for applicants to download forms and apply online, the last date for which is 21 January 2004.
Synergy founder and ace quizmaster Siddhartha Basu himself will anchor the proceedings.
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.
