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Aquaguard & Network18 to honour ‘Water Heroes’ at ‘Jal Daan’ grand finale
MUMBAI: The first season of the ‘Jal Daan movement’, Network18 & Aquaguard’s social campaign around creating awareness and generating solutions to the drinking water crises in India is reaching its culmination with a gala ceremony on 24th March 2017 at Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai. The event will celebrate and salute the endeavors of ‘Water Heroes’ – individuals & organizations who have been working relentlessly around the issue of safe drinking water.
The Grand finale will also serve as a platform for stakeholders to come together and discuss, deliberate and exchange ideas to build a sustainable potable water ecosystem in India. The evening will be graced by the presence of Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Maharashtra as the Chief Guest of the event who will felicitate the ‘Jal Daan Water Heroes’. Noted actor & Unicef Goodwill Ambassador Madhuri Dixit, acclaimed lyricist, Prasoon Joshi, and social reformer Bindeshwar Pathak, would be the Guest of Honor.
To discuss India’s drinking water problems and accessibility for all, a special panel discussion will take place with eminent personalities including Priya Naik, Founder & CEO, Samhita, Anuj Sharma, CEO, Piramal Sarajal, Dr. Shriram Nene (Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon), Bishwadeep Ghosh, Director, Arghyam, Dr. Thuppil Venkatesh (Professor Emeritus, St. John’s Medical College) and A.V Suresh, Eureka Forbes, President- International Operations & CEO Forbes Professional at Eureka Forbes.
With amplification across the Network 18 bouquet of channels and digital assets, the ‘Jal Daan’ campaign has gathered great momentum and successfully mobilized people to take note of India’s drinking water woes, encouraged them to do their bit by taking a pledge to donate 5 litres of healthy & safe drinking water every day to those who don’t have access to it. Over the last six months, the campaign has garnered more than 3 million pledges from citizens from all walks of life – a testimony to its efficacy.
The initiative has emerged as a significant crusade in galvanizing popular sentiment towards an extremely important cause and creating a better future for our generations to come.
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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.
