News Broadcasting
Cable ops call off indefinite stir
NEW DELHI: The temperatures have cooled a bit on the the vexed issue of the introduction of conditional access systems (CAS) among the cable fraternity. Mollified by the assurances extended to them by information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj on the matter, cable operators who had gathered in the capital this evening decided to call off the indefinite strike that had been scheduled to kick off from midnight.
The cable operators, after their meeting with Swaraj, were initially undecided on whether to continue with the day-long strike or be content with a token hour-long blackout which they have been resorting to in Delhi and Mumbai.
“We will decide amongst ourselves whether to continue with our planned day-long strike or withdraw our agitation after the minister’s assurance,” Rajiv Vyas, chief operating officer of HTMT told indiantelevision.com after attending the meeting with the minister. The meeting was attended by about six people, which included independent cable operators too like Delhi’s Rakesh Dutta and Vikki Choudhry and Naidu from Hyderabad.
Well the decision appears to have been that there will be a three-hour blackout from 9 pm tomorrow night to midnight. However, the indefinite strike that was initially planned has definitely been called off.
Yesterday, the cable fraternity had threatened that if no decision were taken by the government on the CAS issue by today, the cable ops would resort to an indefinite blackout from midnight tonight. The decision had been taken unanimously and was supported by distributors owing allegiance to all MSOs in the Mumbai. In the capital, MSOs had adopted a similar strategy since last Friday, resorting to an hour long blackout every day to protest the delay in the implementation of CAS.
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.
