News Broadcasting
BBC World rolls out ‘The World Challenge’ competition
MUMBAI: BBC World in association with Shell and Newsweek have come together to search for, highlight and reward individuals or groups that have used enterprise and innovation to the benefit of local communities through The World Challenge.
The World Challenge is a competition that is being launched following the success of the Hands On Strand within BBC World’s award-winning environmental programme, Earth Report. This highlighted noteworthy projects undertaken by firms, communities and enterprising individuals around the globe.
A panel of judges – including representatives from BBC World, Shell and Newsweek – will shortlist the 12 entries that they feel are the best examples of community-based business, development or environmental projects.
BBC World will then produce 15-minute programmes on each nominee, examining how the initiative began, its inspiration and why it is socially and environmentally successful. These six films will be broadcast on BBC World in August and September, and the channel’s viewers will be invited to vote online for the most commendable and inspirational project.
Newsweek will replicate this with a print campaign that includes a series of advertorials, aimed at driving its readers to the online voting site. The campaign will run throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. Once voting has closed, the winner of The World Challenge will be announced at a special ceremony in November and will receive a $20,000 grant from Shell to benefit their project.
BBC World director airtime sales Jonathan Howlett says, “We know that BBC World’s influential, upscale business-focused viewers take a great interest in global development issues. The World Challenge offers an opportunity to promote outstanding initiatives in this field to an intelligent, knowledgeable audience.
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.
