Lok Sabha Question No. 1769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Revamping/Upgradation of Doordarshan
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1769 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017)

## REVAMPING / UPGRADATION OF DOORDARSHAN 1769   SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state

- (a)  whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any steps to revamp and upgrade Doordarshan so as to cater to the present generation audience;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor and the details of other measures being taken by the Government to increase the currently low viewership of Doordarshan?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL.RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE(Retd.)

- (a)  to  (c)  Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that it  is  the  constant  endeavour  of Doordarshan(DD)  to improve its programming by reviewing the content and quality of programmes and modernisation of infrastructure from time to time with a view to sustaining  the interest of the viewers.

As  a  public  broadcaster,  Doordarshan's  primary  duty  is  to  organize  and  conduct Public  Broadcasting  Services  to  inform,  educate  and  entertain  the  public  and  to ensure  a balanced  development  of  broadcasting  on  Television. It aims  at strengthening  the  democratic  values  and  institutions  keeping  in  mind  the  different traditions, languages and culture of the country.

As an initiative to engage the present generation audience, programmes have been revamped in interesting formats with good attractive packaging and graphics.

Doordarshan has embarked on providing meaningful content to its audience based on  their  needs  and  aspirations.      In    collaboration  with  BBC  (British  Broadcasting Corporation)  Media  Action  and UNICEF,  Doordarshan   mounted  a serial Áadha Full' aimed  at  changing  mindsets through  a  fiction drama  format.   Programmes on  armed  forced  have  been  telecast  to  ignite  patriotic  fervour  especially  among youth. To  provide useful information to young people, various Doordarshan Kendras mount career counselling programmes.   Profiling of women achievers is featured in various  programmes  for  women  empowerment.  'Tejaswini'  is  one  such  series  on women who have struggled against odds to achieve their goals. DD Kendras have started reality shows to provide a platform to budding artists, singers and performers. DD Archives is also being used effectively in various segments to create nostalgia. Various  DD  Kendras  are  highlighting  positive  stories  of  growth  and  development through documentaries.

To  cater  to  the  present  generation  audiences,  Doordarshan   mounted a  special series of  programmes  created  around  the  International Film  Festival  at  Goa featuring film  personalities  and  film-based  content.  Also keeping in view the latest technology used by the present generation, DD's Programmes are now available on platform like YouTube and promoted through Social Media.