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G20 Town Hall by CNN-News18 to discuss India’s pivotal global moment
Mumbai: To put a spotlight on India’s G20 moment and the nation’s growing influence on the global map, CNN-News18 has announced the ‘G20 Town Hall’, which is slated to take place on 5 September in New Delhi.
As India prepares to host the New Delhi G20 summit later this month, CNN-News18’s ‘G20 Town Hall’ will serve as a platform to dissect the country’s role as a global leader and assess India’s emergence as ‘Vishwamitra’ (Friend of the world), a term which was highlighted by PM Modi recently.
The platform will bring together thought leaders and policy makers such as Piyush Goyal (Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution and Textiles), Meenakshi Lekhi (Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture), Amitabh Kant (G20 Sherpa, Government of India), Harsh Vardhan Shringla (G20 Chief Coordinator) and Ricky Kej (three-time Grammy winning Indian Music Composer and Environmentalist), among others. The event will also feature panel discussions graced by diplomats representing economies of all scales, from the largest to the most modest.
Commenting on the special edition of the Town Hall, CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob said, “Our Town Halls have always served as a neutral platform to engage in meaningful discussions that provide viewers with an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders and officials. This time around, we intend to use the platform to highlight India’s promising position on the global map, which was bolstered by the presidency of G20. The G20 Town Hall will empower the audience with a deeper understanding of India’s G20 presidency and the nation’s pivotal global moment.”
The G20 Town Hall will explore India’s G20 theme – ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, and the country’s role in driving the development agenda under the theme. It will also shed light on how the G20 theme underscores the interconnectedness of global challenges and the need for collaborative solutions through discussions on culture, academics, and politics.
CNN-News18 Town Hall is a prominent platform for policymakers and opinion leaders in India. The channel’s commitment to delivering unbiased news and facilitating informed conversations makes this event an invaluable opportunity for political leaders and viewers alike.
‘CNN-News18 Town Hall’ is an on-ground event, which will be streamed live on CNN-News18 TV channel as well as its YouTube channel 6 pm onwards on 5 September.
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.
