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Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash
MUMBA: Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning when the chartered aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport in Pune district.
The Bombardier Learjet 45, which had been chartered from Mumbai, came down during the landing attempt. Pawar lost his life in the impact, along with both pilots and two of his security personnel who were on board.
Pawar had been flying to Baramati to speak at a series of public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections when the plane went down. The entire aircraft was destroyed, leaving charred wreckage strewn across the runway and thick smoke rising from the crash site.
Initial footage from the scene showed a massive blaze and debris scattered over a wide area, with emergency services rushing to contain the fire and begin search operations.
The sudden death of Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics, has sent shockwaves through the state, with leaders and residents alike reacting to the tragedy. Investigations are under way to establish the precise cause of the accident, even as authorities work to recover the remains of those who perished.
A routine flight turned catastrophic within minutes, marking a tragic end to a campaign journey and a grim morning for Maharashtra.
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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.
