ITV

Tag: Surya Prakash

  • Unicef-BBC’s societal issues show launched on DD

    Unicef-BBC’s societal issues show launched on DD

    NEW DELHI: A ‘coming of age’ action drama series for social change AdhaFULL intertwined with the journey of growing up in a small town has been issued as a series by UNICEF India and BBC Media Action India.

    The launch was attended Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash, UNICEF India Representative Louis-Georges Arsenault, Doordarshan Director General Supriya Sahu, BBC Media Action country director Priyanka Dutt, officials from the Government, senior members from the media,civil society partners and adolescents themselves.

    AdhaFULL is a 78-episode TV series conceptualised by UNICEF and created and developed by BBC Media Action. AdhaFULL follows three adolescents—Kitty (16), Tara (11) and Adrak (15), who form the AdhaFULL gang, as they solve a new case each week. The mysteries are such as under-age marriage, nutrition, stereotyping of girls and boys, continuing education, peer pressure, school drop-outs and exam blues and gender-based violence are creatively depicted in the narrative.

    The half-hour-long episodes of AdhaFULL, will be telecast on Doordarshan National on Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week from 7.30 pm starting 21 October.

    The television series will be supported by a 78-episode-long radio show called Full on Nikki, as well as a mobile game, an inter-personal toolkit, graphic novels and DVD omnibuses.

    Sahu stressed that as a public service broadcaster, DD has always strived to reach out to its viewers through meaningful and impactful programming. The telecast of the series AdhaFULL on DD is the fulfilment of its commitment.

    Unicef India representative Louis-Georges Arsenault said, “India is home to 243 million adolescents. This series portrays adolescents who stand up for their rights. Through a mix of social drama, action, energy, fun, humour and emotions, this edutainment package discusses existing social norms and showcases transformation from a culture of silence to a culture of change and freedom”

    Prakash said: “Doordarshan has the largest reach in India. We are happy to be the first channel to broadcast a dedicated programme for adolescents, engaging them so that they can reach their full potential”.

    AdhaFULL, the Hinglish name of the series, reflects the hybrid nature of both a society in transition and adolescence. The AdhaFULL gang episodes swing between its ruralavtaar of the past and its present small town persona with urban trappings.

    BBC Action Media national creative director & executive producer Radharani Mitra said: “Young lives and aspirations are about the 3Cs – curiosity, challenge and creativity. They are willing to re-evaluate, to take chances but often feel limited. Through AdhaFULL’s story and its characters, we want to engage our young viewers and their parents in a journey of change, so that they feel they can negotiate and work with the 3Cs. For us, it’s been an exciting, enthralling journey – I hope it would be the same for our audiences”.

    AdhaFULL is a ‘creative magnifier’ – it brings to life, in a thoroughly entertaining way, everything that deserves a place in a series about adolescence.

    The action- packed series is being produced by Sunshine Productions, complete with pyrotechnics, chases, stunts, stylised lighting and filming, original sound tracks to accentuate drama and suspense.

  • Supriya Sahu takes over as Director General of Doordarshan, four months after selection

    Supriya Sahu takes over as Director General of Doordarshan, four months after selection

    NEW DELHI: Supriya Sahu has taken over as Director-General, almost exactly two years after the tenure of the last full-time DG ended.

    Sahu, who has earlier served in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry as Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) took charge on 29 June, while the last full-time DG Tripurari Sharan had completed his term in July 2014.

    Sahu and F Sheheryar had been selected as full-time Directors-General of Doordarshan and All India Radio respectively by the Prasar Bharati Board on 24 February 2016 and the names were recommended to the Ministry.

    Thereafter, Sheheryar – who as Deputy Director General had been serving as interim DG since February 2014 – took charge as full time DG on 31 May this year.

    DDG C Lalrosanga had been inducted in April last year as interim DG in Doordarshan and Aparna Vaish took over as interim DG after his term ended.

    Sahu, whose term had ended in June 2014 in the I and B but had been on a three-month extension till October 2014 had sought leave for two months thereafter. She was at that time expected to join her home cadre in Tamil Nadu.

    Sahu is also from the Tamil Nadu cadre of IAS 1991 batch. She joined the I and B Ministry as Director in July 2009 and was promoted Joint Secretary in October 2011.

    This decision on 24 February 2014 was taken after the Prasar Bharati Board interviewed ten candidates for the two posts.

    Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that there were six persons from the Indian Broadcasting (Programme) Service, three from the Indian Information Service, and one from the Indian Administrative Service.

    The interviews were held in the backdrop of a decision by the Board earlier last year that the posts for full-time DGs would not be held until the composition of the Board would be complete.

    With two part-time members being appointed, the strength of part-time members of the Board is now complete. The two members are Shashi Shekhar Vempathi, former Principal Architect of Infosys Technologies Ltd and now heading an online media company Niti Digital, and actor Kajol.

    Under the Prasar Bharati Act, the pubcaster should have six-part time members on its Board, which is headed by its chairman.
    Early last year, Chairman A Surya Prakash had told indiantelevision.com that he had made it clear to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that there would be no full time appointments for the posts of the two Directors-General until the composition of the Board was completed.

  • Supriya Sahu takes over as Director General of Doordarshan, four months after selection

    Supriya Sahu takes over as Director General of Doordarshan, four months after selection

    NEW DELHI: Supriya Sahu has taken over as Director-General, almost exactly two years after the tenure of the last full-time DG ended.

    Sahu, who has earlier served in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry as Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) took charge on 29 June, while the last full-time DG Tripurari Sharan had completed his term in July 2014.

    Sahu and F Sheheryar had been selected as full-time Directors-General of Doordarshan and All India Radio respectively by the Prasar Bharati Board on 24 February 2016 and the names were recommended to the Ministry.

    Thereafter, Sheheryar – who as Deputy Director General had been serving as interim DG since February 2014 – took charge as full time DG on 31 May this year.

    DDG C Lalrosanga had been inducted in April last year as interim DG in Doordarshan and Aparna Vaish took over as interim DG after his term ended.

    Sahu, whose term had ended in June 2014 in the I and B but had been on a three-month extension till October 2014 had sought leave for two months thereafter. She was at that time expected to join her home cadre in Tamil Nadu.

    Sahu is also from the Tamil Nadu cadre of IAS 1991 batch. She joined the I and B Ministry as Director in July 2009 and was promoted Joint Secretary in October 2011.

    This decision on 24 February 2014 was taken after the Prasar Bharati Board interviewed ten candidates for the two posts.

    Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that there were six persons from the Indian Broadcasting (Programme) Service, three from the Indian Information Service, and one from the Indian Administrative Service.

    The interviews were held in the backdrop of a decision by the Board earlier last year that the posts for full-time DGs would not be held until the composition of the Board would be complete.

    With two part-time members being appointed, the strength of part-time members of the Board is now complete. The two members are Shashi Shekhar Vempathi, former Principal Architect of Infosys Technologies Ltd and now heading an online media company Niti Digital, and actor Kajol.

    Under the Prasar Bharati Act, the pubcaster should have six-part time members on its Board, which is headed by its chairman.
    Early last year, Chairman A Surya Prakash had told indiantelevision.com that he had made it clear to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that there would be no full time appointments for the posts of the two Directors-General until the composition of the Board was completed.

  • Prasar Bharati & Digital TV Russia ink alliance to exchange programmes & technology, initiate co-productions

    Prasar Bharati & Digital TV Russia ink alliance to exchange programmes & technology, initiate co-productions

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati and Russia’s top pay television broadcaster Digital TV Russia (DTR) have collaborated on high quality production, marketing and distribution of content related to art, culture, trade and science, research and technology.

     

    The memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two broadcasters will also entail joint production and exchange of TV programmes and related services, which will give audiences in both countries an unprecedented access to a rich variety of thematic entertainment and factual content.

     

    The MoU was signed by Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar and DTR representatives Dmitry Mednikov along with Ayuna Badmaeva. Prasar Bharati chairman Surya Prakash was also present.

     

    The joint productions will particularly be in the areas of music, opera, theatre, film-based programmes, cartoons and animation based on epics of both countries, literary classics, folk tales, science fiction, circus and so on. In addition children’s programmes, tourism promotion, sports and gymnastics will also be covered.

     

    The MoU will include re-packaging, re-purposing and dubbing popular or iconic TV programmes produced by one party for use by the other party.

     

    There will be unique exchange of programmes between the two broadcasters and cooperation in research and development for technical modernization and capacity building in the areas of TV programming.

     

    There will also be cooperation in manpower training by augmenting each other’s training facilities through mutual cooperation. 

     

    Marketing of each other’s programming will be another area, and this will include the rich archival programmes.

     

    Digitization of audio-visual materials of rich value for preserving them for posterity by sharing technical and scientific knowhow and best practices is another field of concentration.

     

    The two broadcasters will cooperate in promoting consumer products and ad sales of respective countries through their TV channels.

     

    Prakash said the MoU was a natural corollary of the ancient ties between the two countries. He also referred to the fact that Bollywood was the only answer to Hollywood, even though productions in India cost one-tenth of those in Hollywood.

     

    Jawhar said this partnership will cross-promote each nation’s unique culture and traditions through cooperation in all areas in the media arena. From adaptation of iconic TV programmes in each broadcaster’s library, right up to the sharing of best practices, this coming together will not only benefit viewers in India and Russia, but will also inspire media executives in both countries to explore new and exciting ways of communicating their stories.  

     

    He added that the tie-up had tremendous potential for developing synergies between the two broadcasters.

     

    He said, “A new vibrant India looks forward to a robust partnership with Russian Television and Radio, as represented by VGTRK and DTR. India and Russia have a long tradition of mutual respect and have enjoyed decades of meaningful partnership in many industrial, scientific and cultural domains. Through this new MoU, we look forward to a reassertion of our historic bonds and seek to know each other’s country, people and advancements even better. We intend to come even closer through better appreciation of our positions.”

     

    Russia TV and Radio Deputy CEO Dmitry Mednikov said DTR is committed to developing local content in India for distribution by local players, and will re-invest their revenues into local content. He said, “We are here to launch and build meaningful business in partnership with India’s programmers, content producers’, distribution platforms. Our key principle is to invest into local content production, state-of-the-art technologies and to develop local talents.”

     

    Answering questions, he said there was no problem about dubbing or sub-titling programmes in English. He also said DTR being a pay channel did not create any problems as it also had some FTA channels. 

     

    Doordarshan’s Lalrosanga said that this MoU was one of many new initiatives being taken by the public broadcaster.

     

    Russia’s leading journalists will be in India next month to produce TV programmes on Indian economy, technology and culture. This series will be aired in Russia’s highly rated FTA channels Russia 1 and Russia 24.

     

    DTR deputy CEO and GM of International Networks Ayuna Badmaeva said, “We provide smart and innovative programs that entertain, educate audiences across all demographics and on all platforms. Our philosophy in creating local brands and local formats ensures that these channels will resonate with the local viewers. Especially with a market like India where there are many regions and languages.” 

     

    Veena Jain who heads DD News said the channel would like to educate viewers about Russian arts and culture. DD ADG Deepa Chandra who is in charge of the national channel said music and dance always attracted viewers.

  • Kisan TV launched; Modi calls for greater synergy between farmers & agricultural scientists

    Kisan TV launched; Modi calls for greater synergy between farmers & agricultural scientists

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan’s Kisan TV channel was launched today (26 May) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling upon agricultural scientists to create a link with the farmers through the channel to reach the latest technologies and related information to them.

     

    Dedicating the channel to the nation at a function in the tastefully decorate Vigyan Bhavan, Modi said that the channel could serve as a medium to take forward the green revolution and the slogan of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ given by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

     

    As an example, he said that satellite technology has helped the country get more accurate weather forecasts, which can help the farmers plan ahead. Similarly, agricultural scientists can help farmers become self-reliant in growth of pulses, which has virtually come to an end and led to shortage of proteins among the young.

     

    Those present on the dais included Minister of Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore, Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth Prasar and Bharati Board Chairman Surya Prakash. Others present included I&B secretary Bimal Julka, Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar, PB Advisor VAM Hussain, DD director general C. Lalrosanga, DD Kisan DDG Ranjan Mukherjee, DD Kisan advisor Naresh Sirohi, and several senior officials of Doordarshan.

     

    The channel was launched with Prime Minister Modi pressing the remote control with a short clip from the channel. The tagline of the new channel is ‘DD Kisan – Badalte Bharat ki Shaan.’ The Prime Minister also flagged off two Kisan Raths, which will go all over the country to apprise people about the new channel. Kisan TV is a free-to-air channel available on all direct-to-home (DTH) platforms.

     

    Modi said that the channel would help bring about greater cohesion between farmers all over the country and between farmers and the agricultural scientists and Universities.

     

    He added that some feel that the country already has far too many television channels, but he was convinced that each has a role to play. For example, he said sports channels, more than the government or sports bodies, had helped encourage young people to take to sports in a big way and win laurels for the country.

     

    Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh informed that a special cell had been set up in his Ministry to coordinate amongst agricultural universities and scientists on the one hand and with the channel on the other. He said, “India is a country of farmers and therefore it is important for them to know how they can help the yield through modern methods.”

     

    I&B’s Rajyavardhan Rathore said that the occasion and venue itself were reminiscent of the need for cohesion. “Program kisan ka, bhavan vigyan ka,” he said referring to Vigyan Bhavan where the event took place.

     

    He noted that this was first programme taking place on the commencement of the second year of the National Democratic Alliance Government.

     

    Rathore said that the channel, which will be available in all languages, will not only take the scientist to the farmer, but will also make sure of the need for entertaining the farmer.

     

    Prasar Bharati Board chairmam Surya Pralash clarified that the channel was primarily in Hindi but all important programmes will be dubbed in different languages and shown in the respective parts of the country.

     

    He noted, “As far as I know, India is the first country to have a television channel devoted to farmers and agriculture.”

     

    Referring to the role of Prasar Bharati as a public service broadcaster, he said that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry would remain answerable to the people as long as public money was being put into the channel. He admitted calling the broadcaster autonomous and yet answerable to the Ministry was akin to a ‘tight rope walk.’