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News18 Kannada Varshada Kannadiga 2021 set for 26 March
BENGALURU: The countdown has begun for Varshada Kannadiga awards, the annual signature event of News18 Kannada to be held next week. As a precursor to the event, a jury meet was held on 13 March with members comprising the who’s who of Bangalore. Every year, a jury is constituted and headed by an eminent personality. This year, the jury was chaired by the esteemed Karnataka high court former justice H N Nagamohan Das.
The jury put together had a good mix of seven eminent people from different sectors. From law enforcement, to politics, art and culture, entertainment, sports and corporate, the panel was well represented from all sectors.
The esteemed jury members were:
Prof. Doddarange Gowda, poet & lyricist.
R Ashok, revenue minister – government of Karnataka
Sudharani, Sandalwood actress
Reena Suvarna, KAS
V R Raghunath, Hockey Olympian
Sneha Rakesh, entrepreneur
The awards are divided into eight categories — literature, entertainment, public service, business, science and technology, sports. The other two categories are the Varshada Kannadiga and Lifetime Achievement award. The names were shortlisted looking at people who have performed extremely well during the year, some unrecognized and extraordinary feats of ordinary people. Under the supervision of News18 Kannada editor Siddappa Kaloji, the names were submitted by the editorial staff, and nominations from the public. These names were filtered, by the editorial and five entries were placed in front of the jury for final selection.
The roundtable saw a good amount of humour, active discussions, related anecdotes, varied opinions about nominees and their contributions – before finally reaching a consensus.
The nominees and the winners will be declared on 26 March 2021, Friday, at J W Mariott with a grand, star studded presentation ceremony.
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.
