Origin

Srinagar Doordarshan Kendra started functioning on 15th of August 1972 on Experimental Basis. The programme was started by our senior colleagues. Sh. C.L Hackoo and Sh. Farooq Nazki after impleting Television Training Course from (I.I.C) DD Mandi House New Delhi as producer in Ist batch. The programme was for half an hour duration. Late 1972 second batch of Trainees Joined Doordarshan Srinagar after completing Television Training Course from (I.I.C) DD Mandi House New Delhi. Sh. M.K Sawamin Atri (Producer) Sh. Ashok Vashnavai (Producer) Mrs. Meena Vashvai (Producer), Sh. Viraender Mohan Dewan (Producer), Sh. P.L. Handoo (Myself) (Production Assistant), Sh. J.K Zutshi (Production Assistant), Sh. P.K Raina (Floor Manager), Sh. B.L Koul (Floor Manager), Smt. Itafeeza Kaunsor (Floor Manager), Sh. Ashok Jailkhani (Floor Manager) Latter re-tained as senior as senior A.D.G. All of them were versed in their fields. They were writers, poets stage artists and attached to literary fields.

The Basic fundamental of electronic media are
(i) Education
(ii) Information and entertainment. The format of the programmes were conceived on these lines eg.
(i) Children’s Programme
(ii) Youth Programmes
(iii) Women’s Programmes
(iv) Rural Programme (v) News and Current Affairs Programmes
(vi) Flock Music, Dramma etc. It was new experience for all programmers to start programmes. There was newely constructed recording studio and recording panel for producing programmes. The office of Doordarshan was stared in old two storyed house, near by the newly constructed studio in the same compound. There was no proper place for official work. I remember at times. We were conducting meetings in Emporium Garden near by our Doordarshan Kendra. Mr Shanker Shalinder was Ist Director Doordarshan Srinagar Working under-Supervision of Experienced Officer/Engineers. Together with hard working of programmes it proved a success, one programmes were telecast from Doordarshan Srinagar. On 26th January 1973 Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar was manrated by Horible Chief Minister J&K State Janab Syed Mir Qassim.

The Basic fundamental of electronic media are
(i) Education
(ii)Information and entertainment. The format of the programmes were conceived on these lines eg.
(i) Children’s Programme
(ii) Youth Programmes
(i) Women’s Programmes
(ii) Rural Programme
(iii) News and Current Affairs Programmes
(iv) Flock Music, Dramma etc. It was new experience for all programmers to start programmes. There was newely constructed recording studio and recording panel for producing programmes. The office of Doordarshan was stared in old two storyed house, near by the newly constructed studio in the same compound. There was no proper place for official work. I remember at times. We were conducting meetings in Emporium Garden near by our Doordarshan Kendra. Mr Shanker Shalinder was Ist Director Doordarshan Srinagar Working under-Supervision of Experienced Officer/Engineers. Together with hard working of programmes it proved a success, one programmes were telecast from Doordarshan Srinagar. On 26th January 1973 Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar was manrated by Horible Chief Minister J&K State Janab Syed Mir Qassim.

One of the Photographs showing Chief Minister Sh. Bashir Ahmed Bhat (Assistant Station Director) P.L handoo (Myself). In the beginning after joining Doordarshan, I was producing children’s programme independently. Two programmes a week in Kashmiri Handostani under the supervision of Sh. Ashok Vashnavi . Mrs. Meena Vashnavi latter under the supervision of Sh. M.K Sawmin Atri.
Children were coming to Doordarshan with their parents for participating in the T.V programmes in colorful dresses. They were coming prepared with songs, Joks & Short Stories. There parents took keen interest in preparation of their children’s. There was good interaction between parents and programmers. Although Radio Kashmir was also broad casting children programmes, but parents were delighted to see their boys performing on T.V screen. This was new experience for them.

There were no T.V sets available in the market latter on small size black and white T.V sets came in the market. The programmers were given his size black and white T.V sets for monitoring the programmers by the ministers of Information and broadcasting roots of India. I remember those days when our mohalla walls, our relatives, our friends were coming to my home to see T.V programmes. Tea was served to our relatives in next room. Boys were crying, laughing making hue. My home was not less than small cinema hall. Parents or children’s were coming to see their programmes. In additional to children programme. I was also producing, Agriclture Programme and folk music under the supervision of Sh. Dewan Virander Mohan. In early 1975 Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar started Ist (E.T.V) Educational Television Programme produced by me. The programme was inaugurated by Janab Shri Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdula as Chief Minister J&K state. Ist photographs shows Sheik Sahib with Director Doordarshan Sh. Shalinder Shanker Second photograph shows Sheik Sahib siting in childrens programme in Studio while recording.

In the same year in 1975 I was promoted as a producer and was made incharge of Rural Programme “Butoat”. I was a science student having keen interest in chemistry related to soil chemistry and other organic matters. I was very keen to produce Agriculture Programme. As 80% of the population is living in rural areas. The economy of state is based on Agriculture, Horiculture, Animal Husbandary and allied aspects related to it. Rural programme is specific and target audience programme. I wanted to get farming community under one umbrella through programme “Butrat” (Programme for rural givers. At the same time giving them information about health, family welfare, cleanliness, proper hygiene, nutrition development etc. For thus my top prority was
(i) To get farmers educated in farming, so that they can produce rich crops.
(ii) To make them literate, to the extend, so that they can not be exploited in day to day life.
To start with, I have done survey of some villagers with experts and progressive farmers which proved very helpful for me to conceive and produce programme. In 70’ pay hectare produce was low as campared with other states.
The farmers were relucantant to use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides. True to type seeds are of improved Agriculture equipments. They were using old and traditional methods of farming. Keeping their land uncultivating from Khrif to Rabi, they were not knowing about the rotation of crops.
Showing less interest in live stock feeding them on paddy grass new varities of seeds for cultivating from were nor available in sufficient quantity. The line stock was not as healthier as to day. There wore local breeds. The production milk was very less. Poultry farming was not modernize. There was no proper vaccination of line stock.
The main vision for that was lack of information and knows how about Agriculture Technology, as there was no interaction between farmers and experts. Although Radri Kashmir was broadcasting programmes for farmers but there was no directly communication between experts and farmers. This sap was removed by coming visual media which was turning point for our economy in rural areas.
In seventies, the expansion of Agriculture Department was not enough to fulfill the demands and requirement of farmers. There was clear of experts are subject matter specialists. The facilities were not provided to remote areas of state, lack of fertilizers, seeds and other input was main reason for low yield. Even fertilizers, pesticides & seeds coming from other states were not available in time to farmers. They were using their traditional seeds, without based doze and inputs. They were using and manure. They were not worried about approved dosage and other inputs.
The survey was an eye opener for me, and I came to know about the difficulties faced by farmers. This was great challenge for me. I wanted to use thus mocha as a bridge between farmers as at one end and the experts on other for communication of farm Technology to farmers. This was my aim to get all farmers under one umbrella. I called meeting of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry experts in addition some of progressive farmers. The format and schedule for programmes was discussed according to Agriculture calendar. The programmes on Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and allied types in the field were telecast. Besides programme on rural development health and family welfare and folk music were also a part of programme.
Although Radio Kashmir was also broadcasting “Dehati” programme. But T.V. was turning point in the development of Agriculture. The farmers were in position to see and absorb the things themselves. The media acted as a bridge between experts on one end and the farmers on the other end. There was direct interaction between farmers and experts. Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar started Rural Programme under the title of “Butrat” (means mother earth in Kashmiri) which being Telecast at present also under the same title.

The programme was conceived and produced by me “line” four times a week. & duration 30 to 45 minutes. In the beginning it was very difficult for me to prepare experts compare for the programme. For experts it was new experience. To speak without script as they were doing on Radio. Lot of time was required to prepare experts and comparers by repeating the same thing several times.
In line programme we had to be very careful calculated and learning nothing to chance. In recording we can stop recording and start again. After a long labor a pannel of 4 to 5 experts and 8 comparers was made. By and by it added experts and compares. They were trained and programmes started running smoothly. The programmes were conducted by some compares namely:

(i) Sh. Ghulam Itnsaan Rather
(ii) Sh. S. N Mir Chadoora Badgam
(iii) Sh. Mazid Nassir
(iv) Sh. Makhan Lal Bhat Badgam
(v) Sh. Bashir Akther
(vi) Sh. G.M Malik
(vii) Sh. Wali Muhammad Kushbash
(viii) Smt. Rahat cled (Lady Compare)
The set of a programme was veranda of farmer’s house. In the back of veranda there was a window which served as a ok for farmer’s room. The all compears shown as were family members. They used to come on set (Veranda). Through window, while experts/participants were setting outside the veranda. The situation was dramatized to keep the thread and to make the programme interesting.

No chain was used in the programme. All the participants and even VIPs and VVip’s were sitting on verands. Sometimes the experts were coming late, they were accommodated during ‘line’ programme. They were coming through studio, and directly sitting on veranda (set) in a natural way, compeer welcoming than and asking them to sit, and were becoming part of the programme. So many times it had happened the expert did not turn at all. I was myself coming and covering the topic. It was done during ‘live’ programme.
The subjects were fully discussed with and of film material live material of crops, vegetables etc. The problems were discussed with experts, and in term farmers were advised to check the same. At the end of the programme, the farmers were guided for the field activities for next 10 days. The farmers even from remote village were booked in “Butrat” programme. They were paid Ta/Da. In the way farmers became our reporters and acted as a bridge between farmers and one programme and departmental agencies. This provided us a goal feed back. The problem faced by them was discussed with higher officers, even concerned ministers.
In addition to studio programmes we were covering field based programmes. On Saturday’s and Sunday’s. I used to go for outdoor shooting. Rest of the days I was busy in producing programmes. There was no off day for me. At times the camera crew was staying for right at location. To start shooting early in the next day morning.
A complete programme was recorded on film which include on spur intereivs with farmers and experts may it be preparation of land for nursery. Transplantation weeding, top closing, proper usage of fertilizers raising of nursery beds for vegetable. Spraying of Apple orchards for checking diseases. The programmes were covered according to Rabi and Kharif season.
Sometimes farmers farm near villages were gathered at one place. The experts were demonstrating with farmers in field and the subject matter specialist giving the lectures on utilization of recommended doses and the proper medicines for checking diseases. The farmers were also participating in asking their problems. The local folk parties “Namkeen” Tea was served in Samovars. On regularly sometimes D.C was also visiting the spot in addition to officers of agriculture Deptt. They were interacting with the farmers. This was not less than a mela. I can not for set this occasion. The recorded material was sufficient for two to three programmes, as there was about 16 to 20 programmes in a month, on agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. All these programmes were a sufficient film material. I have made hundreds of film/shot films on various subjects on Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Farm Forsty, Dry Fruits, Appriculture, sericulture, poultry farming , irrigation Rural development family welfare, mother and child care. Cooperative bank loans and on all sponsored schemes of control and state government for the benefit of the farmers.
The apple industry is main source of economy in Kashmir. In order to get good benefit our produce a fruit gower remember two things first to save them from all kinds secondly diseases are spray them as per schedule market two produce in time. There are so many varities of apple, Ist ‘Benoni’ which is harvested in III week of August ‘Jonathan’. ‘Royal Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious and ‘Americans’ is harvested in the month of Oct. This ends in November with Maharaji and Ambri.
We shall harvest each variety according to schedule, other wise fruit losses its fragrance and shelf life. We should be very much calculated about the market where it has to reach, otherwise fruit will get damaged in transit and will loss its shelf life. The government should provide sufficient transport facilities to fruit growers. The fruit growers should be honest while packing the fruit boxes. The growers should give proper attention to grading.
I had a conversation with some fruit marchants in Delhi. They say fruit grownen are be footing us. They are writing one grade on their boxes, on opening we find two or three lines & fruit of the same grade rest mixture or undergrad. Such growers are spoiling the name of other growers also. You should in know of it that in the beginning Doordarshan Kendra started programmes on still photographs capture, even in news also we were using still photographs, head lines were also written on capture. There were old types of black and white machines black and white cameras and editing tables. Recording tape was very heavy. One man was able to take only on e recording tape in his hand were carrying.

The films covered by black and white cameras were processed first in darkroom, before telecast it was nor possible to telecast late covered films on the same day in news due to processing. There were separate tracks for audio and video. They have to run simultaneously on two spools. We have to be very cautions about the marking of the both tapes. Even a small variation would cause problem of Lip-syne in the year 1977 five broke out in Doordarshan Kendra, which caused very great damage. But still have not stopped Telecasting Rural Programme ‘Butrat’. The programme was telecast from Shankraya hill in room adjacent to transmitter. It was very much appreciated by the higher officers from Directorate of Doordarshan New-Delhi, which were present hear in this connection, at that time.
1983 onwards T.V partially colored in 1986. We started working on E.N.G camera, it was colored camera. Now there was need of processing the film, it was to only eddited before telecast. 1986 Doordarshan started working on color transmission on Experimental Basis. In the year 1987 T.V became complete color. All the setup was changed; there were all colored equipments and cameras.
In 1982 Sher-e- Kashmir Agriculture started working in Srinagar more facilities were generated. There was panel of Experts and scientists on different subjects in Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry. New projects/schemes were taken by Agriculture University. The Agriculture University started working on new verities of seeds. Hybrid verities of vegetables, dwarf verities of fruit trees with good yield, research on new verities of apple and crossbreed verities of live stock. The agriculture Dep’t also extended its facilities, by opening new distribution centers for fertilizers.
True to type seeds farm equipments hybrid verities of vegetables. Horticulture Dep’t started giving new verities of fruit plants fruit growers.
With coming up of Agriculture University. I had to put more efforts to make programmes rich in contents and quality with the co-ordination of Agriculture Dep’t and Agriculture University fruit shows, vegetable shows. Calf/Cow shows were organized. The farmers were also high exhibiting lighting their product in these shows and they were rewarded accordingly by the selection committees of the Dep’t of Agriculture. In addition seminars on Rabi/Kharif crops were also organized in which there was direct interaction between farmers and experts. Farmers were raising. There problems are share their experience. I was covering all these events and for telecast in rural programme “Butrat” photograph and other inputs. The farmers who once were reluctant to use fertilizers/fungicide/pesticides now started raising varies in case of non-availability of inputs.
I was covering fertilizers stores and other input stores of Agriculture Deptt and the position on spot and covering discussing with higher officers, sometimes with Agriculture commissioner and concerned minister. As a producer of Agriculture programme “Butrat”. I have covered maximum village of the Kahmir Valley and highlighted their difficulties. This programme become mouthpiece of Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar. The programme so popular that the farmers were started raising their problems regarding day to day life. Water, electricity, roads, briges, transport etc. The letters received in this connection were read in our programme “Replies To Letters” Telecast on last Wednesday of month. With other letters, I was replying the letters.. Special programmes covered in Rural programmes.