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Stand-up comedian Atul Khatri is reading ‘Only Positive News!’
NEW DELHI: CEO-turned-ace comedian Atul Khatri is spending his quarantine time cheering up folks on social media, after his 16-city tour tanked because of the novel coronavirus epidemic. Understanding the responsibility that widely-followed content creators have now, Khatri started his own short-video programme called “Only Positive News!”, which he is promoting on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Talking about the property with Indiantelevision.com, Khatri says, “I conceptualised this idea earlier this month when the pandemic was becoming a serious news. Be it news channels, or WhatsApp groups, everything was filled with so much of negativity. So, I thought that there must be some positive news out there and I should promote it.”
Khatri says that with nine episodes down, the mini series has got him a lot of positive response, not just within the country, but also from overseas. “I have got around 4000 new unique followers on Instagram with ‘Only Positive News!” and a lot of appreciation from my followers. More than a lakh people are watching its episodes,” he notes.
Elaborating on the process of creating the property, Khatri says he initially talked to his video editor about shooting and editing it, but it was not feasible because he lives in the other part of the city. Then, some of his fellow comedians suggested he use mobile-editing software InShot and do it himself. He claims to have learnt the software within a day and is now regularly serving netizens with a droplet of hope and positivity with the show, told in his own signature comic style.
Khatri admits that his industry has been hit hard because of live events being cancelled, but he is happy that the authorities are taking the necessary steps to avoid further spread. What he is concerned about more is the impact the pandemic is having on the life of daily wage earners like spot guys and makeup artists and hopes private and government intervention can be of support to them.
A former C-level executive, Khatri is also expecting some government intervention in the business side as well. “I was talking to a friend who told me that he has salaries to pay worth Rs 45 lakh. I suggested he keeps the salaries going, especially for those employees who have EMIs to pay. But what is needed right now is government support, maybe in the form of cancelling EMIs for the time period, or giving out monetary support.”
Khatri feels that employers should take care of their employees in such times. Asked what his plan of action would have been in case he was still running a company, he said his prime concern would have been employee safety and satisfaction. “I would have let them work from home and provide all the necessary support.”
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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.
