Kamlesh Singh of India Today Group has been conferred the prestigious Haldi Ghati Award at a ceremony आयोजित by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) in Udaipur on March 15.

The national award, instituted in 1981-82, is presented for “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.” It was presented to Singh by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF, in recognition of his three-decade-long contribution to Indian media, the ITG said in a press release.

Currently, Singh leads several key editorial initiatives within the India Today Group, including Aaj Tak Radio, the widely followed Teen Taal community, and The Lallantop. Known for his innovations in digital journalism and his role in mentoring young reporters, Singh has also gained popularity through the Teen Taal podcast, where his persona “Tau” has resonated with audiences for encouraging meaningful public discourse.

Over the years, Singh has built a reputation for thoughtful journalism and for creating editorial projects that deepen audience engagement while maintaining credibility and integrity in public communication.

The awards ceremony also recognised several other distinguished individuals. Among them were Hariprasad Chaurasia, Devvrat Rekhe, Marimuthu Yoganathan, widely known as the “Treeman of India,” and Rizwan Malik, a Vir Chakra awardee.

Additionally, the Colonel James Tod Award, which honours a foreign national contributing to the understanding of Mewar’s cultural values, was presented to US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken.

The Haldi Ghati Award is among the four national honours conferred annually by the MMCF as part of the Maharana Mewar Foundation Annual Awards, which were instituted in the early 1980s. The award draws its name from the historic Battle of Haldighati, a symbol of valour and resilience in Indian history.

Over the years, the honour has been awarded to several eminent personalities in journalism and media, including Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa, further underlining its significance in recognising impactful contributions to the field.