News Broadcasting
Odisha takes centre stage as Rising Odisha 2025 sparks big ideas
MUMBAI: Odisha’s growth story is set to get the red-carpet treatment and the hot seat as Rising Odisha 2025 returns on 19 August, promising an evening of high-voltage ideas, debate, and vision-building. From 4 pm onwards, News18 Odia’s flagship leadership conclave will transform into a powerhouse of conversation, putting the state’s progress and challenges under the spotlight.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi will lead the charge as chief guest and Keynote Speaker, setting the tone for discussions on governance, economic growth, tourism, exports, skill development, sports, and cultural heritage. Joining him are deputy chief ministers K.V. Singh Deo helming Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy and Pravati Parida, Odisha’s first woman Dy CM, who oversees women and child development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism.
The evening will pack in exclusive interviews with Sampad Chandra Swain (Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education) and Suresh Pujari (Revenue & Disaster Management), alongside in-depth conversations with Suryavanshi Suraj (Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia Language & Culture) and Odia cinema icon-turned-politician Anubhav Mohanty.
Political fireworks are guaranteed with a three-way debate featuring BJP’s Manmohan Samal, Congress’ Bhakta Charan Das, and BJD’s Debi Prasad Mishra, each pitching their roadmap for Odisha’s future.
And in a nod to the state’s buzzing online culture, digital heavyweights Natia Comedy, Krishna, and Nitiana will join a panel to decode youth engagement, viral trends, and the evolving influence of social media.
For those who can’t be in the room, the action unfolds live on News18 Odia from 4 PM, a front-row ticket to the ideas shaping tomorrow’s Odisha.
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.
