News Broadcasting
Has RK Singh departed from Zee & the Essel Group?
The rumour mill has gone into overdrive again at Subhash Chandra’s corporate offices. The grapevine has it that RK Singh, chief executive, Playwin Infrawest, Essel Group, has left the company as of yesterday.
It is not clear what exactly the circumstances of his leaving involved, but when contacted, Singh, who is in Chandigarh at the moment, would only say that he is on leave.
Singh joined Zee Telefilms in September 1999 replacing Vijay Jindal as CEO. He came on board Zee from ESPN Software where he was CEO. In December 2000, after AT Kearney submitted its report on restructuring the organisation, Singh was made group head of corporate services.
His tenure there was however, shortlived as five months later Sandeep Goyal joined the organisation as Zee group broadcasting CEO. Singh was subsequently put in charge of new Essel Group company Playwin Infravest – closely held by Chandra and members of his family – which marked the group’s entry into the online lottery business.
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.
