Additional Director-General of Bangalore Doordarshan Kendra Dr M Mahesh Joshi on Friday said that the public broadcasting corporation (Doordarshan) was not ‘struggling to stay afloat’.
Reacting to perceptions which compare Doordarshan to a dinosaur, Joshi said, “We are the pioneers (of TV in India).”
Joshi was speaking at a programme jointly organised by Doordarshan Kendra, Bangalore, All India Radio and Christ University to present the first Doordarshan Chandana Awards which sought to recognise the contributions of various artistes and writers to the state.
Taking on private news channels, he likened them to private security firms and private detectives. “In my opinion, Doordarshan is like a soldier of the country, donning the uniform and representing the people of India.” Former Lokayukta Shivaraj Patil, who headed the awards’ committee, said the awards should also have a category for pioneers in the field of education.
The award winners included poet Channaveera Kanavi, theatre person Yenagi Balappa, vocalist Pandit Panchakshariswami Mathigatti, danseuse Maya Rao, folklorist Mareppa Mareppa Dasaru, Dr Asha Benakappa, agriculture expert G S Prakash, serial producer S S Rajesh and the Karnataka State Swimming Association.