STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: On the occasion of the 66th Foundation Day of Doordarshan, the Delhi Study Group, in association with Om Books International, hosted the launch of “Doordarshan Diaries”: ‘The Golden Era of Television’, authored by veteran journalist and news anchor Sheila Chaman.
The event was held at the Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.
The book was formally released by Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Deputy Minister for Information & Broadcasting, in the presence of Dr. Vijay Jolly, Ex-MLA, and several eminent personalities from diverse fields.
Sheila Chaman, a distinguished face of Doordarshan, has had a remarkable career spanning over three decades as a news anchor, journalist, columnist, and documentary producer. She is also widely respected for her contributions as a social worker and environmentalist.
Her book Doordarshan Diaries offers a rare insider’s perspective and serves as a valuable archival account of Indian television history.
Speaking on the occasion, Ghulam Nabi Azad congratulated all those who worked tirelessly to promote television media in the country, especially Doordarshan. He fondly recalled the contributions of legendary producers such as Ramanand Sagar (Ramayan), B.R. Chopra (Mahabharat) and Sanjay Khan (The Sword of Tipu Sultan), whose timeless creations left a deep imprint on the nation’s collective memory.
Highlighting the challenges of today’s competitive visual media landscape, Azad stressed the need for Doordarshan to reinvent itself. He noted that in many remote villages, Doordarshan continues to be the primary source of information and entertainment for the poor, as private channels remain mostly paid services.
Emphasizing the importance of strengthening India’s presence in global broadcasting, Azad suggested that Doordarshan should establish its own Global News Channel, dedicated to covering international news with an Indian perspective.
The event marked a nostalgic celebration of Doordarshan’s glorious legacy while underscoring the urgent need to adapt to contemporary media challenges.