News Broadcasting
DD looking at identity makeover; Piyush Pandey may be the man to do it
NEW DELHI: Taking a leaf out of private satellite broadcasters’ strategy book, India’s Prasar Bharati is contemplating hiring the services of a top notch advertising professional to primarily give the channels of Doordarshan a distinct look and identity.
According to sources in Doordarshan, a final decision has not yet been taken, but the name of Piyush Pandey, the head of WPP company O&M India, is top of the pops.
In recent times some private broadcasters too, have undertaken similar initiatives and unveiled new channel logos, looks, et al. This includes the Subhash Chandra-controlled Zee Telefilms as well.
Prasar Bharati Corporation, which oversees the functioning of pubcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR), has recently taken several steps to be contemporary, even while remaining within the parameters of a public service broadcasting organisation.
Sources added that the issue of getting a top ad professional to advise Prasar Bharati on the channel look, identity and logo was discussed in one of the recent board meetings of the Corporation.
The rationale behind such a move, as and when it actually materialises, is to bring some life into the normally staid functioning of DD and AIR and something which will excite the viewers and listeners of DD and AIR.
Though DD’s reach as a terrestrial broadcaster far outstrips those of any private broadcaster – maybe all of them put together – the look and feel of DD channels, especially DD National and DD Metro, still seem to be stuck in the past.
But it must be said that with the arrival of Prasar Bharati chief executive KS Sarma and DD director-general SY Quraishi, things have started looking up. The DG, especially, takes great pride, like senior executives of any other private broadcaster, in highlighting the reach of DD and the advantage that this reach can give to advertisers.
Still, it must be said that in the past DD has experimented with advisors on various aspects of marketing and communication with little result. For example, sometime in the past film personalities Ketan and Deepa Mehta had been entrusted with the task of giving a new look to DD that went by and large unnoticed and proved to be ineffective too. Though the Mehtas went home with a fat cheque from DD.
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.
