News Broadcasting
India’s first Bengali news channel in the offing from MCCS’ kitty
MUMBAI: Media Content and Communications Services India Pvt. Ltd. (MCCS), a joint venture between ABP TV and the Star Group, today announced its plans to launch a 24-hour Bengali news channel.
MCCS at present broadcasts Star News. The new Bengali channel will be headquartered in Kolkata with an extensive bureau network across the rest of West Bengal and India.
An official release informed that with the Eastern region of India witnessing resurgence and gaining importance with many large organisations from various sectors like IT, retail, manufacturing, services etc., the launch of a specialised news channel of this nature is a natural requirement for the region.
Equipped with a strong technical and editorial team, with Suman Chattopadhyay as executive producer, the channel will cover local, national and international news in Bengali.
Commenting on the occasion, Star News CEO Uday Shankar said, “The main rationale behind the news channel is to reach out to the fast growing population of news consuming Bengalis. In emerging markets that are culturally rooted like Kolkata, there is a need for a dedicated channel that can offer high quality news coverage along with views and analysis in the regional language.”
“ABP is the oldest and most respected journalistic brand in the East of India. It has played a significant role in the development of West Bengal and has been at the forefront in providing relevant news and information to the people of Bengal. In keeping pace with the times, we need to strengthen our bond with the audience through the electronic mediums of communication and journalism,” said ABP managing director Aniruddha Lahiri.
On the other hand, Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea commented, “Within a short span of 18 months Star News in Hindi has become a valuable news source in India and across important global NRI markets that is relevant to India today. The launch of this regional language channel expands our portfolio of news services. I am sure it will drive the growth of regional language TV further propelling the penetration of television in the country.”
The program offerings for the Bengali news channel will cater to the distinctive needs of the regional audiences while incorporating formats that will find appeal with the Bengali Diaspora. The channel will connect with its viewers by providing news across genres including political, business, culture, crime, entertainment and social events, on a local, national and international level, in real-time basis.
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.
