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And now a ‘Feel Good Party’!
NEW DELHI: Popular satirist Jaspal Bhatti Wednesday floated a new political outfit – the “Feel Good Party” – and promptly went on to mock at the country’s political tribe.
And in keeping with the times, he said his party was ready to form an alliance with any other party, ideology be damned, and said the symbol of the party would be a “smiling cat” and “a smiling dog”.
“I was compelled to float such a party because the feel good atmosphere promoted by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is so powerful and so impressive,” Bhatti told IANS, tongue firmly in cheek.
“Its only agenda is to generate a feel-good feeling and keep that sensation going, no matter how bad people may be feeling.
“If we are voted, we promise to spend public money on promos and advertisements to keep up a constant feel good feeling.”
Bhatti, 48, an electrical engineer, has used his simple, yet hard-hitting comic style both in television serials, on stage and on the streets to get his message across and see that it hits home.
The feel good party would field candidates in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and “wherever the response is good”.
It is a “spoof” on political parties, and Bhatti has lampooned virtually every major political outfit of the country.
The party would have “no ideology”, he insisted, so that it would be that much easier to ally with just about anybody.
“We are open to an alliance with BJP or Congress, or even both,” he said straight-facedly.
And its prime ministerial candidate will only belong to the Bhatti family – a tribute to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty dominating the Congress party.
“Though our prime ministerial candidate will be a Bhatti, we will not announce any candidate until after the elections, so that there is no friction in the party.”
The entertainer continued: “First cousins will not be allowed – although grandchildren and even great grandchildren can join.”
The symbol of the party would be “a smiling cat” and “a smiling dog”.
Indecision?
“We have kept both symbols so that even if our party splits and we lose one symbol, the other will remain with us!”
The animals are, of course, grinning widely. “It is the feel-good factor,” reminds Bhatti.
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.
