News Broadcasting
Deccan Chronicle acquires 67 per cent in Asian Age, takes stake to 90 per cent
MUMBAI: Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd (DCHL) has acquired 67 per cent stake in Asian Age Holdings Ltd for Rs 171 million, scaling up its holdings in the daily newspaper to 90 per cent.
DCHL, which publishes the Deccan Chronicle newspaper, has bought out Zee Telefilms’ 15 per cent stake Asian Age Holdings. The other shareholders from which DCHL has acquired equity are MJ Akbar (26 per cent), United Breweries (23 per cent) and T Venkattram Reddy (3 per cent). Earlier DCHL had held 23 per cent in The Asian Age, a daily newspaper published simultaneously from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and London.
The revenue and the brand ownership will be transferred to DCHL, with the Asian Age Brand expected to contribute Rs 750 million to Rs 1000 million to the top line by Fiscal 2007, the company informed BSE.
“The acquisition of Asian Age will transform DCHL into a National player with presence in the large advertising markets of Mumbai and Delhi in addition to presence in Kolkata, Bangalore and London,” says DCHL managing director T Vinayak Ravi Reddy.
Zee Telefilms had picked up 15 per cent stake in Asian Age Holdings in 2001. Currently, Zee is planning launch of a news daily in Mumbai with Dainik Bhaskar as the joint venture partner.
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.
