News Broadcasting
News18’s L’Aspiration Summit brings Royalty, History, Food, and Fashion together in Udaipur
Mumbai : Earlier this week, News18 network hosted the L’Aspiration Summit at Udaipur’s historic Durbar Hall. Through wide-ranging discussions on heritage, fashion, cuisine, and culture, the summit provided a unique perspective on changing lifestyles as well as the contemporary definition of luxury and royalty. Former royals from Udaipur, Sirohi, Jaisalmer, and Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) attended the event, as did celebrities from the entertainment, fashion, and culinary industries.
During the “Breaking Barriers” session, News18’s Amish Devgan and actress Saumya Tandon interviewed Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar. Lakhsyaraj Mewar emphasised the historical significance of the Summit’s venue, Durbar Hall, where the first steps towards India’s liberation were taken. He also spoke at length about the Mewar royal family’s role in integrating various princely states into India, as well as in advancing various social causes such as girls’ education.
He also emphasised the importance of cultural heritage, including one’s linguistic heritage, and stated that everyone should be proud of their history and culture. He believes that social media has provided a window into the private lives of former royals while also allowing them to connect with the outside world, and that “time” is the true luxury that one can have.
The session “Redefining Royalty” featured Maharaj Daivat Singh of Sirohi, who spoke extensively about how sustainable living should become a cornerstone of everyone’s lifestyle today, and how it is both important and a luxury in today’s world. He also discussed how luxury tourism in a specific region helps the local economy. The benefits of heritage tourism were highlighted by Maharaj Vikram Singh of Jaisalmer, who described how the definition of luxury is changing over time.
Miss India 2020 runner-up Manya Singh said she views luxury through the prism of what makes her feel comfortable. She also talked extensively about her own experience breaking into the fashion industry despite coming from a very conservative and disadvantaged family, emphasising how vital it is to dream big, gain confidence, and never give up on your passion. described comfort as luxury and emphasised the value of staying true to oneself.
Princess Mohena Singh and Prince Divyaraj Singh of the Rewa royal family were featured in the “Rooted and Resilient” session. They discussed how former royal families must balance legacy and modernity today. Princess Mohena Singh also discussed the critical importance of sustainable lifestyles, stating that in today’s world, access to clean air has become a luxury.
In the session ‘Regal Spread’ session, celebrity chef and winner of Masterchef India Shipra Khanna said that luxury can be viewed from many different lenses – money, time etc. She also discussed the importance of Ayurveda and how ingredients like ginger, black pepper, and turmeric can be used not only in cooking but also in treatments.
“We apply gold and silver varak to sweets to make them look royal. Hindustani cuisine today is being served in the US, UK, Spain, Muscat, and Oman. We are running towards the west, whereas there are so many recipes available in India that we can offer to the world.” she said.
During the ‘Queen or Hearts’ session, actress Saumya Tandon stated that luxury is having the ability to make your own decisions. Reminiscing about her childhood, she mentioned how poets such as Shivmangal Singh Suman had a big influence on her. “I remember writing my first poem when I was six years old after witnessing a wedding and a funeral together,” she explained. When asked about the future of luxury, she emphasised the importance of a local connection.
The Summit concluded with an enthralling session on royalty and poetry by renowned poet and actor Shailesh Lodha, who spoke about how kings and emperors used to support poets. He went on to say that poetry is as close to his heart as acting is to his body, and that it will always be important for society. Recognizing that poetry pays well today, he shared that he was happy to break the traditional mould in which poets were cast and to re-invent the idea of a kavi as someone who could be very high on the style quotient.y to re-invent the idea of a kavi as someone who could be very high on the tyle quotient.
The second edition of the L’Aspiration Summit brought together diverse perspectives on luxury, heritage, and culture, as well as highlighting the evolving trends in the luxury space.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
