Doordarshan: Everyone's nostalgia partner turns 62 today

New Delhi, Sept15: With the launch of Doordarshan on September 15th, 1959, television broadcasting in India began 62 years ago today. Let's see some of the interesting facts about Doordarshan.

On September 15, 1959, Doordarshan was launched and started operating. On August 15, 1965, a 5-minute news bulletin was launched. Krishi Darshan, one of the most popular agriculture-based programmes, debuted in 1967. Doordarshan started airing from Mumbai and Amritsar in 1972.
Until 1975, Doordarshan's broadcasting was confined to just seven cities. On April 1, 1976, Doordarshan was split from All India Radio.

In 1982, India saw the introduction of colour television. Doordarshan was successful in carving out a place for itself with serials such as Hum Log, Buniyaad, Malgudi Days, Rajni, Nukkad, and Chitrahaar.

The Ramayana, which broadcast in 1987, and the Mahabharata, which aired in 1989, catapulted Doordarshan to new heights of fame. On November 23, 1997, Prasar Bharati was established. Doordarshan has been broadcasting under it since then.

In 2003, DD-News, a 24-hour news channel, was launched. In 2004, the free DTH service DD Direct was also introduced.

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The Ramayana and Mahabharata should be re-broadcast on Doordarshan. In response to public demand, the Central Government guaranteed that it was broadcast on Doordarshan last year. It harkens back to the golden age of Doordarshan when television was first finding its way into people's homes. Doordarshan has been a mainstay of the nation's broadcasting service since then while preserving its reputation.

On September 15, 1959, Doordarshan began as an experimental broadcaster in Delhi with a tiny transmitter and a temporary studio. At the time, Doordarshan did not have a regular transmission.

However, on August 15, 1965, a regular 5-minute news segment was launched, and Pratima Puri held the distinction of being Doordarshan's first newsreader.

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Since its beginning, Doordarshan has struck a chord with its viewers through its family-oriented programming. Due to accurate and dependable broadcasting, Doordarshan's credibility has helped it to carve itself a distinct character amid the plethora of networks.

Doordarshan is vigorously adapting itself to changing times to deliver its services to the common people more efficiently. We wish Doordarshan congratulations and may the ventures go far and beyond in the coming times.