News Broadcasting
Prasar Bharati CEO moots revamp plan for AIR Mumbai
MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati plans to replace AIR transmission towers in Mumbai, currently 5 kilowatt capacity, with 20 KW towers shortly.
This will be done, says Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma in order to compete with the five private FM radio stations, which have 20 KW transmission towers, and hence have better reach and reception. Sarma says nearly Rs 150 million are proposed to be invested in the upgradation of the four FM2 channels and nine FM1 channels throughout the country.
Sarma says FM2, originally envisaged as a complete news channel, may also have news segments in various regional languages to cater to the different sections of population who rely on radio for news. Currently all four AIR stations in Mumbai, Mumbai A and B as well as FM1 and FM2, relay the same Hindi and English news segments throughout the day. The new programming could be based on the Pune AIR 7 to 8 am block, which relays five news bulletins in five different languages, he says.
During a brainstorming session with AIR officials in Mumbai on Wednesday, Sarma also suggested that all the AIR stations in Mumbai be christened with distinctive names, a la DD Sahyadri. The branding will not only help in awareness, but will also help the channels create a separate identity for themselves, he says.
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.
