News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak anchor Rohit Sardana succumbs to Covid
NEW DELHI: Covid keeps taking its toll on the Indian news broadcasting industry. Reports emerged on Friday that Hindi news channel Aaj Tak’s lead anchor Rohit Sardana has passed away after testing positive for Covid2019.
“More terrible news friends. Well known TV news anchor Rohit Sardana has passed away. Had a heart attack this morning. Deep condolences to his family,” tweeted journalist Rajdeep Sardesai.
More terrible news friends. Well known Tv news anchor Rohit Sardana has passed away. Had a heart attack this morning. Deep condolences to his family. RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 30, 2021
A senior broadcast journalist and a popular face on Hindi news channels, Sardana had left Zee News to join Aaj Tak in 2017. He was the host of the popular debate show Taal Thok Ke on Zee News and was last hosting Dangal on Aaj Tak.
Sardana’s untimely demise has left the news media world in a state of shock, with several friends, colleagues and prominent personages expressing their sadness over demise on social media. Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary and Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia took to Twitter to condole Sardana’s passing.
अब से थोड़ी पहले @capt_ivane का फ़ोन आया।उसने जो कहा सुनकर मेरे हाथ काँपने लगे।हमारे मित्र और सहयोगी रोहित सरदाना की मृत्यु की ख़बर थी।ये वाइरस हमारे इतने क़रीब से किसी को उठा ले जाएगा ये कल्पना नहीं की थी।इसके लिए मैं तैयार नहीं था।ये भगवान की नाइंसाफ़ी है..
ॐ शान्ति— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) April 30, 2021
Shocked and extremely saddened to know about the passing away of senior journalist and my journalism days colleague Rohit Sardana.
My deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/9yUWc9l4qu
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) April 30, 2021
The last few posts on Sardana’s Twitter account shows that he was trying to help people even while suffering from Covid himself. He was amplifying the SOS calls of people who were in need of amenities amidst the second wave of the Covid2019 pandemic.
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.
