News Broadcasting
BBC S.Asia editor gets MBE for Iraq war coverage
MUMBAI: BBC’s South Asia Bureau Chief Paul Danahar has been given one of Britain’s most prestigious awards, the MBE, for services to journalism. The award honours Danahar for his work as BBC’s Baghdad Bureau Chief during the Iraq war where he led a small team of BBC journalists, including correspondent Rageh Omaar. His team had been among the few who stayed on in Baghdad throughout the war to report on the conflict. Danahar had also covered the war for the newsmagazine ‘Outlook’.
Paul Danahar
Speaking about the award Danahar said, “I’m pleased to accept this award on behalf of the BBC team because I think it recognises the importance of journalists being on both sides of conflicts like the Iraq war.”
BBC News World News Editor Jonathan Baker, on hearing the news, congratulated Danahar saying, “no-one deserves this more than he (Paul) does. His leadership in difficult and dangerous circumstances was outstanding. They (The team) all demonstrated great resilience, professionalism and courage throughout, and it is fantastic to see their efforts recognised and rewarded in this way. Many congratulations to Paul and his team.”
Paul Danahar is, at present, based in India as BBC’s first-ever South Asia Editor. He will shoulder editorial responsibility for BBC’s entire news operation in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan and central Asia.
Danahar’s earlier experience in South Asia includes his stint in BBC as a senior world affairs producer in Delhi between 1996-2000. During that time he covered all the major news in the region, from the Kargil conflict, the coup in Pakistan to the Orrissa cyclone and the Bangladesh floods. He also travelled extensively in Afghanistan during the Taliban era. Danahar then spent two years working for the BBC in Africa, which included coverage of events in Sierra Lone, the Congo, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Immediately after the 9/11 attacks Danahar was deployed to work with BBC correspondents – Rageh Omaar and John Simpson, in the run up to the fall of Kabul to American-led forces. He returned to Delhi to take up his present position as Bureau Editor in August 2002.
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.
