News Broadcasting
BBC Tamilosai launches series on human rights in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka
MUMBAI: The BBC’s Tamil service, Thamizhosai (Voice of Tamil) is to broadcast a new 20-part series on human rights situation in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
The new radio series Maanudam Vellum (Humanity Will win), which is part of the BBC’s “I have a right to…” series, broadcast in various languages, will start on August 3 and will go on air every Saturday as part of the BBC Tamizhosai programming, according to an official release.
To prepare the series, BBC Tamizhosai producer Sampath Kumar visited the war torn Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu earlier this summer. Sampath Kumar looks at a cross-section of the population in both regions – the refugees living in Sri Lankan and Tamil Nadu camps, friends and relatives of the victims of war, parents of the children conscripted by rebels, human rights activists and others.
The series also includes exclusive interviews with Tamil Tigers leaders Karikalan and SP Tamilselvan where they speak about the human rights situation in the war torn North and East of Sri Lanka and the charges against Tigers’ own human rights record.
In Tamil Nadu, the series discusses cases of human rights violations in the recent past and contemporary issues such as discrimination against Dalits in some southern districts, the controversy around capital punishment and cases of custodial torture and rape
Says Thirumalai Manivannan, editor of BBC Thamizhosai: “This is the first time in recent years that a Tamil journalist has gone so extensively into the war torn north and east of Sri Lanka and reported on the human rights conditions there.”
The “Maanudam Vellum” – Humanity will win – series seeks to raise awareness of human rights issues and to tell people how they can make a difference to the human rights situation where they are.
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.
