Celebrating 65 Years of Doordarshan: India's Public Service Broadcaster

Doordarshan, India's public service broadcaster, proudly celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. Since its inception on 15th September 1959, Doordarshan has been a cornerstone of Indian media fostering unity, culture, and education while serving as the voice of the nation.

From its humble beginnings with an experimental broadcast in Delhi, Doordarshan has grown to become one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world. Over the decades, it has witnessed monumental transformations in technology and audience engagement while steadfastly maintaining its commitment to public service broadcasting. From the days of black and white television to the present era of digital and satellite broadcasting, Doordarshan has continuously evolved to cater to the changing tastes and preferences of its diverse audience. From the era of black n white transmission to 35 channels across its network giving every region the flair of its own language through its 6 National Channels, 28 regional channels and 1 International Channel; Doordarshan continues its journey with commitment of pioneering Public service Broadcaster.

Reflecting on 65 Years of Service

Over the past 65 years, Doordarshan has played a crucial role in the socio-cultural development of India. It has been the platform for some of the most iconic television shows that have defined generations, from the mythological epics "Ramayana" and "Mahabharat" to the beloved "Chitrahaar," "Surabhi," and "Hum Log." Doordarshan has provided a space for cultural exchange, brought rural and urban India closer together, and created awareness about vital social issues through various educational and informative programs.

To commemorate this milestone, DD National telecasted a special programme "Dil Se Doordarshan, DD@65", a grand gala event hosted by renowned Master Jaiveer Bansal & Anil Singh, Ventriloquist featuring performances by eminent artists like Shri Pramod Kumar, International Magician & Mentalist and also a Guinness Book of Records holder. He has received many state and national awards and Ms Manisha Swarnkar (Sand Artist) is one of the most accomplished sand artist in the country and an Alumna of IDC, IIT Bombay. She has been performing the sand art for 13 years and is the first women Sand artist from India.

The star performer for the "Dil Se Doordarshan, DD@65" show was Padma Shri awardee Sh. Kailash Kher, the Bollywood sensation who has mesmerized audiences for decades through his power packed performances. His music style is heavily influenced by Indian Folk music and Sufi music. The voiceover for Doordarshan show reel is done by legendary actor Shri Manoj Bajpaee.

Renewing Our Commitment to the Nation

On this momentous occasion, Doordarshan renews its commitment to its mission of providing reliable, accessible, and quality content to every citizen of India. The broadcaster continues to embrace technological advancements to reach audiences on all platforms – from television to mobile phones – ensuring that it remains a relevant and trusted source of news, entertainment, and information.

Looking Ahead

As Doordarshan enters its 66th year, it stands ready to continue its journey of innovation, inclusion, and inspiration. With its rich history and dedication to public service, Doordarshan will keep serving as a beacon of India's diversity, heritage, and progress.

(Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India)

India’s Public Service Broadcaster Prasar Bharati Launches New Logo

Prasar Bharati India's public broadcaster, unveiled its new logo on 11th July 2022 & with that added a new chapter in its glorious history.

The new logo was released by the Secretary I&B Shri Apurva Chandra, in the presence of CEO Prasar Bharati Shri Mayank Kumar Agrawal, Prasar Bharati, Member (Finance) Shri DPS Negi, and senior officers of Ministry of I&B and Prasar Bharati.

The new logo of Prasar Bharti is replete with rich meaning. In the new logo symbol for Prasar Bharati, an autonomous statutory body under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the elements in the central circle and map of India signify the service of trust, security, and perfection for the common man. The organization started as All India Radio (AIR) in the past and Doordarshan (DD) was born to cater television services later and finally came Prasar Bharati (PB) by enactment of an act by the parliament, which is visualized in the logo identity as emerging and evolving from the centre.

While the elements in the central circle and map of India signify the service of trust, security and perfection to the Nation, its colour, 'Dark Moderate Blue' represents both the sky and the sea and is associated with open spaces, freedom, intuition, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity. Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, and intelligence. The colour blue also pays tribute to the Indian ethos and traditions associated with religious figures, mythological characters found in the Indian miniature paintings.

On the occasion of unveiling of the new logo, Prasar Bharti's Member (Personnel) Shri DPS Negi opined that in the earlier format, the corporate office of Prasar Bharati used both AIR and Doordarshan logos on both the sides of the written text 'PRASAR BHARATI' along with the Indian emblem in the middle. Inspired from the identities of both AIR and Doordarshan, the new logo of Prasar Bharati is defined as a blend of both AIR and Doordarshan. It not only encloses the elements from their visual identities, but it also leverages their colour combinations, to complement the identity of PB as a public service broadcaster.

Headquartered in New Delhi, Prasar Bharati  is a statutory autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament. It comprises of the Doordarshan Television Network and All India Radio (AIR), which were earlier media units of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

(Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting)

Mayank Kumar Agrawal is new CEO, Prasar Bharati

Mr. Mayank Kumar Agrawal (IIS-1989 batch), Director General, Doordarshan and Doordarshan News, has been given additional charge of Prasar Bharati CEO.

Earlier Mr Shashi Shekhar Vempati concluded his five-year term as the chief executive officer of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati that manages Doordarshan and All India Radio, on 8th June, 2022.

Mr Vempati was appointed as head of the public broadcaster in 2017 by a three-member committee headed by the Vice-President, as mandated under the Prasar Bharati Act

Profile of Shri Mayank Agrawal :  https://aibd.org.my/2021/08/07/profile-of-mr-mayank-agrawal/

Specially designed customised postage stamp released on the ocassion of 60th anniversary of Doordarshan

Doordarshan completed sixty years of service to the nation on 15th September 2019. Starting from an experimental service on 15 September 1959, Doordarshan has become one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world and has played a pivotal role in the nation building. Generations of Indians have grown watching Doordarshan.

On the occasion, Shri Prakash Javadekar released specially designed postage stamp to mark Doordarshan's 60th Foundation Day.  

ABU General Assembly 2016: New President and a new Vice President Elected

ABU General Assembly 2016: A New President and a new Vice President Elected to the Administrative Council

The 53rd ABU General Assembly in Bali, Indonesia concluded with the election of Mr Ko Dae-young, President and CEO of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) as new President and Ms Supriya Sahu, Director General of Doordarshan-India as new Vice president of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.

http://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-ABU_General_Assembly_2016-;_A_New_President_and_a_new_Vice_President_Elected_to_the_Administrative_Council.aspx

Doordarshan plans to go digital by 2017

http://www.ptinews.com/news/583781_Doordarshan-plans-to-go-digital-by-2017

Initiatives taken by Govt in J & K

Listing the initiatives taken by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry in Jammu & Kashmir, Smt. Ambika Soni said one of the highest priorities is to improve the quality of TV and Radio Transmission and increasing the broadcast coverage in the State. She said a provision of Rs. 100 crores has been made in the current financial year for setting up of High Power TV Transmitters in the border areas of the state and Lower Power FM Transmitters in uncovered areas of the State. She said under the scheme 3 High Power (FM & TV) Transmitters are to be set up at Sirpath, Jasrota Top and Khalsar in Kashmir, Jammu and Leh region respectively. One FM Transmitter would be provided at Naushera and one TV Transmitter for DD-1 and DD-News at Rajouri. Low Power FM Transmitters at four locations are also to be set up. It is also proposed to open up more towns to private FM channels with special incentives for border areas under the new FM Phase III policy, which is on the anvil.Smt. Soni said a new Doordarshan Studio at Leh is expected to be completed during 2010. She said a revamp of the programmes is under way for DD Kashir channel and new programmes produced and executed by young people of the State are expected to be available from 1st January 2010. She said Rs. 14.64 crores have been allocated for DD Kashir's commissioned programmes in 2009-10.

(Source : Press Information Bureau, Govt of India)

Doordarshan turns 50 today

Its Golden Jubilee of Television Broadcasting in India today, incidently the transmission of TV programs started on 15 September,1959 at a make shift studio in the All India Radio building.

Here are some press reports :

Doordarshan: 50 Golden years of Television Broadcasting
http://tinyurl.com/m5v63c

Doordarshan turns 50, Soni invites Shyam Benegal

http://www.samaylive.com/news/doordarshan-turns-50-soni-invites-shyam-benegal/656726.html

Pune’s Vasant Mulay is one of the men behind Doordarshan success story
http://punekar.in/site/2009/09/15/punes-vasant-mulay-is-one-of-the-men-behind-doordarshan-success-story/

Seminar on 50 Years of Doordarshan

Writing a White Paper

- Who Dumped the Transformative Vision?
- Achievements ? Gains ? Losses?
- Credibility Deficit?
- Present Imbroglio? What is to be Done?

12 September 2009
from 11:00 to 17:00 hrs

India International Centre (Conference Room – II)
40, Max Mueller Marg
Lodhi Estate
New Delhi – 110 003

Participants will include broadcasting policy experts, broadcasters, social scientists, academicians and social activists
Followed by a Discussion on 50 Years of Doordarshan: Reinventing a PSB – Pretender?
Chair: Suhas Borker
From 18:30 to 20:00 hrs
Jointly organised by India International Centre & Jan Prasar

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For any further information please contact: 09868182845
info.janprasar@gmail.com

(Thanks to Martin Joseph)

DD kicks off Golden Jubilee celebrations

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) National broadcaster Doordarshan today kicked off its year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations with a music maestro A R Rehman concert as Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni promised that DD would broadcast the 2010 Commonwealth Games on High Definition format.

More at :
http://www.ptinews.com/news/225013_DD-kicks-off-Golden-Jubilee-celebrations

TV at 50

Many of us may not be aware, its 50th anniversary of Television in India this year. Read this fascinating article published in "Frontline" magazine penned by renowned Bhaskar Ghose :

http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20090828261708800.htm

Radio and TV Coverage in J&K

28 July 2009, 16:46 IST
Under J&K Special Plan Phase-I approved in 1999, Doordarshan (DD) has set up 92 transmitter projects in Jammu & Kashmir. Terrestrial coverage has become available to 95% population of the state. Further, all uncovered areas of J&K along with rest of the country (except Andaman & Nicobar Islands) have been provided with multi channel TV coverage through DD’s free to air DTH service “DD Direct Plus”.

As part of Special Plan Phase-II for J&K approved in September, 2007, DD have provided 10,000 DTH sets along with TV sets to Government of J&K for uncovered areas. During the current financial year, an amount of Rs. 39.09 crore has been allocated, which includes an amount of Rs. 30.00 crore to be provided as Grants in aid and an amount of Rs. 9.09 crore as Loan to Prasar Bharati for improving Radio and television facility in J&K.

Under J&K Special Plan Phase-I, All India Radio (AIR) has also set up 10 new transmitters and upgraded 2 transmitters in J&K. Similarly under J&K Special Plan Phase-II, 11 number of DG Sets and 7 number of UPS have been approved for AIR. During the financial year 2009-10, an amount of Rs. 100 crore has been introduced for improvement of FM & TV coverage in J&K border areas. This scheme includes setting up of three FM/TV High Power transmitters at hilltops. In addition to this, Low Power Transmitters have also been proposed in uncovered regions.

(Press Information Bureau, Govt of India)

Wider Prasar Bharati Network

The number of transmitters in Doordarshan network has increased from 924 at the time of formation of Prasar Bharati to 1416 at present. Similarly number of All India Radio (AIR) transmitters has grown from 299 at the time of formation of Prasar Bharati to 374 as on date.

The areas uncovered by terrestrial transmission along with rest of the country have been provided with multi–channel TV coverage through Doordarshan’s free to air Direct to Home (DTH) service “DD Direct Plus”. DTH signals can be received in the entire country (except Andaman & Nicobar Islands) with help of a small sized dish receive units. To further increase the AIR coverage all over the country, 200 new transmitters have been approved in spillover scheme under 11th Plan. This information was given by Dr. S.Jagathrakshakan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

(Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India)