News Broadcasting
ZEE Kannada News to host Achievers Awards 2026 honouring Karnataka’s changemakers
Flagship awards night in Bengaluru to honour leaders across public life, culture, business and sport
Bengaluru: Zee Kannada News is rolling out the red carpet for Karnataka’s doers and drivers, as it hosts the ZEE Kannada News Achievers Awards 2026—an annual showcase of individuals shaping the state’s social, cultural and developmental arc.
The ceremony, set for 12 February from 5 pm at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, positions itself as a celebration of real-world impact. From governance and public service to business, arts, culture and social work, the platform seeks to put the spotlight on those pushing Karnataka’s progress story forward.
The evening will unfold in the presence of Jagadguru Shri Shri Shri Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, president, Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, Mandya. A line-up of political heavyweights is expected, including H. K. Patil, minister for law and parliamentary affairs; Ramalinga Reddy, minister for transport and muzrai; G. Parameshwara, minister for home affairs; Eshwar Khandre, minister for forest department; Shivaraj Tangadagi, minister for Kannada and culture and backward classes welfare; Rahim Khan, minister for municipal administration and hajj; P. M. Narendraswamy, chairman, state environment and pollution control board; and V. Sunil Kumar, mla and state BJP general secretary.
Cinema will have a strong showing too, with director and actor S. Narayan and actors Pramod Shetty and Pooja Gandhi among the prominent names expected to attend.
A key highlight is the lifetime achievement honours, reserved for those whose contributions have left a long shadow. This year’s recipients include B. S. Yediyurappa, former chief minister of Karnataka, for his role in public life and governance; S. Narayan, director, actor and producer, for contributions to Kannada cinema; Anke Gowda M., librarian and book lover, for championing reading and access to knowledge; and Chitra Magimairaj, international snooker player, for representing India on the global stage.
The awards, the channel says, are meant to recognise leadership, integrity and commitment that go beyond personal success and translate into social value. The idea is as much about storytelling as it is about trophies—curating narratives of resilience, responsibility and excellence that mirror Karnataka’s ambitions.
Commercial partners are firmly in place. Tanishq comes in as presenting sponsor, with Sunpure Oil as powered-by partner. Smartquick and Bandhan Properties are associate partners. TRS Fashions and Abaya Gold Buyers join as fashion partners, while Kalyan Foots and Dhana Ganapathi Finance are special partners. Nandini signs on as refreshing partner and Prajavani as printing partner.
In a crowded awards market, Zee Kannada News is betting on credibility and local resonance. By foregrounding public service, culture and community impact, it is pitching the night as more than spectacle.
For one evening at least, the state’s power corridors, film circles and grassroots heroes share the same stage. The message is blunt and brisk: achievement counts, and Karnataka is keeping score.
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.
