News Broadcasting
Break free of the idiot box during ‘TV turnoff week’
MUMBAI:Turn off TV and turn on life! The 10th edition of the TV Turn off week 2004, with strong support from the public and leading health groups, started on Monday 19 April in the US.
Founded in 1994, the TV-Turnoff Network has spent the past decade spreading the message that, by switching off the idiot box people are able to lead healthier lives because then they would interact with friends and family more. It advises people to take a seven day break from TV and reclaim time to talk, play, read, exercise, dream and live life.
Research made by the network in US shows that Americans spend a minimum of seven hours per day in front of the television. It also shows that around 54 per cent of American children have a TV in their bedrooms. The network presses on the fact that television cuts into family time, harms children’s ability to read and succeed in school and contributes to unhealthy lifestyles and obesity.
With “millions of people having been fed up with indecency on the airwaves”, the organisation expects a greater support of the public this year.
More than seven million including children and adults, and 80 organisations are expected to participate over 17,500turnoffs around the world. The network is supported by various US organisations including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Education Association, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, claims the organisation.
The organisation adds that more than 24 million people have participated in the TV-Turnoff Week since 1995 and more than 30,000 US students have benefitted from the programme.
According to the Washington D.C based non profit TV Turnoff Network, last year around 7.04 million people including kids and adults pulled the plug and turned off TV during the TV turnoff week
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.
