News Broadcasting
News18 Lokmat honours cultural richness on Mangala Gauri festival with folk dance contest
Mumbai: In a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra, News18 Lokmat organised an one-of-a-kind event to mark the auspicious Mangalagaur festival. This festival, rooted in tradition and spirituality, is renowned for its significance among newly married women, and News18 Lokmat is elevating it with a spirited folk dance competition.
The Mangala Gauri vrat is observed with great devotion by married women across Maharashtra. It is a sacred fast, often practiced by newlyweds, during the auspicious month of Shravan. The Mangalagaur pooja, done by married ladies, is an important feature of this festival, followed by joyous gatherings where they engage in various games and activities.
News18 Lokmat has taken this tradition a step further by organizing a grand folk dance competition for women. A total of nine dynamic dance groups hailing from different corners of Maharashtra participated in this exuberant contest. The competition, held to honor the essence of Mangala Gauri, received enthusiastic participation and appreciation. The panel of esteemed judges for this exceptional competition included actress Mrinal Kulkarni; renowned Lavani exponent and choreographer Ashish Patil; actress Shivani Rangole; Marathi actor Sanket Pathak and actress Suparna Shyam; Marathi actress Sanchita Kulkarni and Marathi actor Siddharth Khirid.
The judges, all luminaries in their fields, brought their expertise and discerning eyes to evaluate the performances. Their unanimous satisfaction with the exceptional dance presentations further highlighted the success of this grand event. The Mangala Gauri folk dance competition will be broadcasted in four captivating episodes on News18 Lokmat. This engaging celebration of culture and tradition promises to captivate audiences, showcasing Maharashtra’s vibrancy and talent.
The event was co-presented by Metrocity Properties and powered by Reliance Industries Ltd, with Sony Marathi as the entertainment partner and Jaipan Appliances as the associate sponsor.
On News18 Lokmat, witness the Mangala Gauri folk dance competition, a cultural tribute. The first episode is set to broadcast at 15:24 pm on August 22, only on News18 Lokmat, followed by the subsequent three episodes on consecutive Tuesdays, all at the same time.
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.
