KOCHI: It was K Karunakaran who first brought television to the homes of Kerala.
Even before Doordarshan started broadcasting programmes in the state in 1985, Karunakaran took the initiative and through his efforts, the government-owned Keltron broadcasted programmes through a Russian satellite in the state.
It all began when KPP Nambiar, the then chairman and managing director of Keltron and T Damu, now the vice-president of The Gateway Hotel, approached Karunakaran.
Nambiar used to experiment with telecasting programmes here through a Russian satellite. He approached Karunakaran seeking help in obtaining sanction from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for telecasting these programmes.
Without hesitation, Karunakaran immediately contacted then Information and Broadcasting Minister Vasant Sathe.
Upon his request, Sathe issued permission for the telecast and Keltron was able to telecast films in the state even before Doordarshan came into existence.