News Broadcasting
Application for port-to-port uplinking indicates Star has no plans for India uplink base
NEW DELHI:Star India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the Rupert Murdoch-controlled Hong Kong-based Star Group, has applied to the Indian government for permission for a port-to-port uplinking facility through Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. This is one of the first steps taken by the company preparing for a new life for Star News post-31 March, 2003.
Confirming the move, government sources told indiantelevision.com that the application from Star came in recently.
As and when Star India gets the permission, it can uplink to any destination in the world from India using the various VSNL hubs round the country. However, it cannot uplink directly to a satellite bypassing VSNL.
At the moment, it is Prannoy Roy’s New Delhi TV (NDTV) that has permission from the government to uplink through VSNL from India for content aired on Star News channel.
Interestingly, sometimes back NDTV is also said to have applied for uplinking permission separately and afresh, an indicator to the fact that the TV software powerhouse too is preparing to launch independent initiatives after March 2003 and, probably, turn into a broadcaster itself.
That Star India has applied for a port-to-port uplinking facility through VSNL is also indicative of the fact that the company does not propose to set up an uplinking base in India in the near future and would continue to use its uplink facility located in Hong Kong, media analysts said.
From Hong Kong, which also houses the headquarters of the broadcaster-turned-multi media company, various Star channels are uplinked to various satellites, including Asiasat-3 whose footprints cover the Indian subcontinent.
At the moment, Indian-promoted channels like Aaj Tak, Eenaadu and Sun do uplink directly to their broadcasting satellites from India from their uplink base. Aaj Tak, for example, Zee Telefilms too, has got permission to uplink some of its channels directly to a satellite from its uplink base located at Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi.
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.
