News Broadcasting
England tour to Sri Lanka on despite political turmoil
COLOMBO: Ten Sports can breathe a little easier for the moment. Michael Vaughan and his England cricket team will tour Sri Lanka from next week as per the schedule. There were concerns raised by the English Cricket Board (ECB) after the country was plunged into political chaos with the president declaring a state of emergency a few days ago.
The political temperature also eased today after Lankan President President Chandrika Kumaratunga withdrew the state of emergency.
England will arrive in Sri Lanka on 13 November. They will play three Test matches and as many one-day internationals. In India viewers can catch the same on Ten Sports. England will not change their plans unless of course the political unrest spills on to the ground like bomb blasts or riots.
England’s fan followers known as the Barmy Army are also said to be undeterred. A Sri Lanka media report indicates that unlike the multitude of tourists around 5,000 of them are expected to follow the team to Sri Lanka.
In a column for BBC Sport Online former England wicket keeper Chris Read added, “As for the Sri Lanka situation, there is very little uncertainty as far as the England players are concerned. Obviously we’ve heard snippets of what’s going on, but political happenings out there are totally out of our hands. We are there to play cricket.”
Kumaratunga’s action came a few hours after her bitter political rival Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, returned home from a visit to the US. Wickremesinghe, who received a tumultous welcome from his supporters, pledged to reopen parliament and revive the peace process with Tamil rebels.
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.
