News Broadcasting
Kiran Karmarkar, Niki Aneja feted at Lions’ awards
MUMBAI: On Thursday night, the Bhaidas Hall in Vile Parle (a suburb in Mumbai) buzzed with anticipation, excitement and delight, as the Lions Club International gave away awards honouring the film and television industry for 2003.
12 awards were presented to the television industry. Aaj Tak was adjudged the News Channel for the year 2003. UTV turned up trumps as the Best Production House. Hotly contested, the best actor in the male category was won by Kiran Karmarkar (Om Aggarwal) for Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, when the best actor in the female category was bagged by Niki Aneja Walia (Dr Simran) for Astitva… Ek Prem Kahani.
Rajeev Khandelwal (Sujal, a favourite with female viewers) was adjudged the Best Male Newcomer, while Mona Singh won the Best Female Newcomer Award for her histrionics in the aggressively marketed SET serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.
Ajai Sinha was conferred the Best Director Award for his skills on Astitva… Ek Prem Kahani, while the Best Serial Award went to the thus far unfeted Kittie Party. Urvashi Dholakia who has become a household name, courtesy the character of Komolika in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, was declared the Best Vamp. Shabir Ahluwalia (Rishi, better known as Mrs Braganza, these days) proved to be her counterpart, when he held the trophy aloft for the Best Villain for Kahiin To Hoga.
Pankaj Kapur, who plays Musaddilal in Sab TV’s Office Office got the best TV actor in a comic role (male), and better half Supriya Pathak as Hansa Parekh on Star Plus’ Khichdi got the best TV actor in a comic role (female) award.
Surprisingly, three serials that currently rule the roost at the TRP stakes- Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Sanjivani- A Medical Boon and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand did not win awards in any category, perhaps due to the fact that there were only 12 awards waiting to be given away in contrast to 19 awards meant for the film industry.
City police commissioner Dr P S Pasricha presented the awards.
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.
