From Doordarshan to Digital: New Book Chronicles 50 Years of Indian TV News
Former Prasar Bharati Chairman Surya Prakash launches Harsaran Bir Kaur Pandey's book on five decades of Indian television news.
The journey of Indian broadcasting, from the era of a single state-run channel to the current age of digital disruption, has been captured in a new literary work. Former Prasar Bharati Chairman Surya Prakash officially launched The Evolution of TV News in India: From Doordarshan to Digital Disruption – An Insider's Account, authored by veteran broadcaster and former Doordarshan producer Harsaran Bir Kaur Pandey.
The launch event, held at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi on Saturday, served as a reunion for the architects of Indian television. Published by Om Books International, the book provides a comprehensive look at nearly five decades of journalism, tracing the trajectory from the early days of Doordarshan to the rise of 24-hour satellite news and modern digital platforms.
A Gathering of Broadcasting Legends
The event was attended by several stalwarts of the industry. Among the prominent guests were three-time Green Oscar winner and wildlife filmmaker Mike Pandey, as well as iconic Doordarshan news anchors Shammi Narang, Neethi Ravindran, and Komal G.B. Singh. Ajay Mago, the publisher of Om Books International, was also present alongside a host of media veterans and broadcasting professionals.
An Insider's Journey: From Mandi House to the World
Harsaran Bir Kaur Pandey’s account is deeply personal, rooted in her career which began at Doordarshan's Mandi House headquarters in the early 1970s. She was part of an elite group of 90 professionals recruited during the broadcaster's formative years to expand television services beyond the capital.
After receiving professional training with the BBC, Pandey became instrumental in developing early news production systems. The book vividly describes a time when broadcasting was a battle against limited technical infrastructure, relying heavily on film-based reporting and conventional transmission equipment.
Resourcefulness in the Newsroom
The book highlights the creative problem-solving required in early television. In one notable anecdote, Pandey recalls the coverage of John Lennon's assassination in 1980. Facing a lack of available footage, she used her own personal collection of vinyl record covers to provide the necessary visuals for the news bulletin.
Witness to History
During her 14-year tenure at Doordarshan, Pandey was at the center of some of the most pivotal moments in Indian history. The book details her involvement in covering:
- The Emergency of 1975–77 and the JP Movement.
- Operation Blue Star in 1984.
- The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- Subsequent general elections and the birth of modern election broadcasting.
The narrative also revisits the early days of live election analysis and the introduction of studio graphics, featuring pioneering figures like Dr Prannoy Roy, Ashok Lahiri, and Vinod Dua.
Global Footprints and Professional Legacies
Pandey's experience extended far beyond national borders. She documents her coverage of international leaders including Fidel Castro, Yasser Arafat, Nicolae Ceaușescu, and Kenneth Kaunda, as well as official foreign visits by Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
The book also pays tribute to the pioneers who shaped the medium, mentioning figures such as P.V. Krishnamoorthy, Shiv Sharma, Shashi Kapoor, Salma Sultan, Minu Talwar, and the late Gitanjali Aiyar.
Adding another layer to the narrative is Pandey's subsequent 21-year career as an international civil servant and communications officer with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, blending her broadcasting expertise with global communications.