News Broadcasting
NBA condemns attack on media in Ahmedabad
NEW DELHI: News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has condemned the attack on journalists and media persons who were covering the Ahmedabad bandh on 18 July. The bandh was called following the mysterious death of two boys residing in the ashram of religious guru Asaram Bapu.
NBA says, “With more than 15 journalists being seriously injured, channels like Aajtak, Times Now and TV 18’s OB vans and television equipments were damaged completely”.
NBA President and Aajtak CEO G Krishnan said that journalists and media workers provide a service that is essential for any democratic society and keep the public informed. There can be no acceptable reason for attacking the men and women who help make possible the fundamental right of freedom of expression. And preventing journalists from performing their duties are violations of the freedoms enshrined in and guaranteed by the Constitution.
Krishnan has further urged the Chief Minister and Home Minister of Gujarat to restore law and order to ensure that journalists are allowed to perform their duties in a free and fearless manner. He hoped that the state administration would take action to book the culprits and would display that no individual or individuals are beyond the law of the land.
The supporters of spiritual guru Asaram Bapu assaulted media persons at a press conference called by Asaram Bapu’s ashram. What triggered the attack were the unreciprocated questions over the deaths of two boys Dipesh Praful Vaghela (10), and his cousin Abhishek Shantilal Vaghela (11), whose bodies were found in the riverbed near the spiritual guru’s ashram on 6 July.
The ashram has been facing protests since then. In addition, several organisations had called for shutdown in Ahmedabad on 18 July to protest against the flawed investigation.
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.
