News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 #HelpAshmita Campaign
MUMBAI: In the aftermath of India’s performance at the Rio Olympics, the discussion across the country turned to what needs to be done in order to improve the country’s ranking at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Against this backdrop, CNN-News18 took the lead not only in terms of coming up with a unique charter for improving our performance at the next Olympics but even took up the cause of a young talented gymnast Ashmita Pal who dreams of representing and winning laurels for the country.
On the first day of the campaign itself, the channel has raised over Rs. 3 lakhs and the contributions are still pouring in. Responding to the initiative, a leading Public Sector company announced an immediate grant of Rs. 2 lakhs and a monthly scholarship of Rs. 20,000 per month for the next two years for the athlete. Shahid Chowdhury, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Tripura also backed the CNN-News18 campaign.
The channel, in partnership with Bitgiving, is aiming to raise Rs. 10 lakhs in order to get proper facilities for gymnastics training for Ashmita through their campaign #HelpAshmita who hopes to win an Olympics Gold.
Earlier this month, young Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar scripted history as she entered the final of the Vault event at the Rio Olympics. Her feat will not only serve as an inspiration for upcoming sportspersons like 15-year-old Ashmita Pal but has also given them the courage to chase their dreams.
Endorsed by Dipa Karmakar, Ashmita has represented India at the World School Gymnastics in Turkey this July. Hailing from Agartala, her father is a daily wage earner and her mother is a domestic help. For her, meeting basic nutrition needs is a struggle, let alone the diet required by an athlete. But defying all odds, Ashmita fought her way into the national team. She is now training under Soma Nandy, wife of Dipa Karmakar’s coach.
For the CNN-News18 team, this campaign is a manifestation of the channel’s commitment and thought leadership in picking up issues that the country feels strongly about and making a difference on the ground.
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.
