News Broadcasting
News18 Kannada – Varshada Kannadiga 2020
The star studded, august gathering on Saturday evening saw some of the finest feats among the glitterati. News 18 Kannada, one of India’s largest news network, presented its annual signature Varshada Kannadiga awards on February 22 to eight extra ordinary achievers.
As a precursor, a jury meeting was held on February 7 to filter the shortlisted contenders. Chaired by the esteemed former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde, the jury finalized the list of eight people from various sectors for the awards.
Saturday evening saw over 300 guests witnessing the gala award ceremony. The who’s who included celebrities from Sandalwood, bureaucracy, politicians and friends of News 18 – DCM Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya and D V Sadananda Gowda, MLAs K Gopalaiah, S T Somashekar, BJP Spokesperson – Malavika Avinash; actors Puneet Rajkumar, Ganesh, Ninasam Sathish, Dali Dhananjay, Haripriya, Aditi Prabhudeva, Shree Leela and Sanah Thimmayya. Former DG and IGP T Srikumar, retired IAS officer T Thimme Gowda, DPAR secretary Munish Moudgil and traffic commissioner Ravikanthe Gowda.
Throwing the floor open for the evening and welcoming the guests, News18 Kannada editor Siddappa Kaloji said: “It is a matter of pride to honor the internationally renowned achievers of Karnataka. These achievers are truly an inspiration.’’
The eight awardees were:
– Niranjan Mukundan, in the Sports category for having won prestigious international medals as a para-swimmer for 17 times.
– Anuradha TK, the project director of ISRO, who was instrumental in the launch of the G-SAT satellite, was finalized in the Science and Technology category.
– Niranjan Nempe, the inventor of arecanut tea. He was chosen in the Business category.
– Prof. G.S. Jayadeva was honored in the Social Service category.
– Actor and director, Rishab Shetty bagged the Arts and Entertainment award.
– Nemichandra lifted the Literature trophy.
– Dr.H.S Venkatesh Murthy, also known as the Ruby (Manikya) of the Kannada literary world, was the Varshada Kannadiga 2020.
– Lifetime Achievement Award, the most coveted honour was bestowed upon Chennaveera Kanavi.
Addressing the gathering, MP Tejasvi Surya, cine actor Puneeth lauded the channels and selection committee’s efforts in identifying people who have been extra-ordinary performers, from across different sectors.
Kudalasangama Basavajaya Mrutyunjaya seer who spoke briefly Swamiji said most of these achievers were Kannadigas and that people born and brought up in this state have the caliber to excel on the global arena.
News18 Kannada Varshada Kannadiga 2020 will be telecasted on 29th Feb 2020 Saturday at 5:30pm and repeat on 1st March 2020 Sunday at 10 am.
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.
