News Broadcasting
BBC condemns verdict against its Tajikistan correspondent
MUMBAI: BBC World Service has condemned the guilty verdict against its correspondent in Tajikistan, Urunboy Usmonov.
Usmonov and the BBC have consistently maintained that all allegations of association with Islamic extremists are completely unfounded and that Usmonov is innocent of all charges.
The BBC believes that no evidence of wrong doing whatsoever emerged during the trial, and that only a complete exoneration of its correspondent is acceptable.
Despite being given amnesty, Usmonov intends to appeal to a higher court to clear his name.
BBC Global News director Peter Horrocks said, “We will continue to support Urunboy and hope that the appeal process will lead to his reputation as a highly respected writer and journalist being restored. We also intend to press for answers over the torture and mistreatment Urunboy suffered while in custody and to raise real concerns about shortcomings in the legal process.”
When questioned during his trial, Usmonov told the court that he‘d been tortured in custody following his arrest on 13 June this year, including beatings and security officers burning his arms with cigarettes. He also said he‘d been forced to sign a confession which had been dictated to him.
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.
