Lallantop Editor Saurabh Dwivedi exits India Today group after nearly 12 years
New Delhi: Saurabh Dwivedi, Editor of digital news platform Lallantop and India Today Hindi, has stepped down from the India Today Group after nearly twelve years with the organisation, marking the end of a significant chapter in Hindi digital journalism.
The development was confirmed by Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson of the India Today Group, who acknowledged Dwivedi’s contributions and leadership, and wished him well for his future endeavours. She noted that discussions about Dwivedi exploring opportunities beyond the group had been ongoing, as he was keen to channel his creative energy into newer formats and platforms outside the group’s current portfolio.
Dwivedi joined the India Today Group as a Features Editor at aajtak.in under its Mediaplex initiative. Over the years, he emerged as one of the group’s most prominent homegrown editorial leaders. As the founding editor of Lallantop, he played a central role in shaping the platform’s distinct editorial voice and expanding its reach among young, Hindi-speaking audiences, particularly in India’s heartland. Along with colleague Kamlesh, Dwivedi helped build Lallantop into one of the country’s most influential digital news brands.
Following his exit, editorial leadership at Lallantop will transition to Kuldeep Mishra, who will take over full editorial responsibility. Rajat Sain will head the Production Team. Both are founding members of Lallantop. Mishra is known for anchoring popular shows such as The LT Show and Netanagari, while Sain has overseen several key production and format innovations during the platform’s growth.
Dwivedi also addressed his departure through social media posts, describing it as the end of a journey and the beginning of another. In a post on X, he thanked Lallantop for the identity, learning and confidence it gave him. He also shared a photograph with the line, “After a comma, preparing for a new journey.”
https://x.com/saurabhtop/status/2008144261930524930?s=20
While the reasons for his exit have not been officially detailed, his departure has triggered widespread discussion and speculation within media circles.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
