Cultural extravaganza marks DD's day

The event was the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Doordarshan organised in the City at Jnanajyoti auditorium.

The spectacular music and dance performances compensated for the non-arrival of  VIPs scheduled to inaugurate the programme including Union Law and Justice Minister Veerappa Moily, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, K Rahman Khan, State Home Minister V S Acharya and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr S Jagadhrakshakan.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Chowdhury Mohan Jatua, who delivered the Golden Jubilee address, commended Doordarshan for successfully facing the competition posed by 380 private channels. It offers much information apart from wholesome family entertainment, he added. “Even today, DD news is considered the most credible,” he said. It had also performed a great public service by offering a platform for talented artistes in various fields to showcase their talent. It has also played a commendable role in promoting literacy and education, the Minister added.

Kannada Development Authority Chairman  Mukhyamantri Chandru, called upon DD to promote Konkani, Tulu and Kodava languages through its programmes. Despite adhering to strict guidelines, DD has faced competition from other channels very successfully, he said. Former Supreme Court judge Dr Shivraj V Patil said that DD had made a great impact on the lives of people.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Jayamala said DD had done a great service to the film industry by screening excellent, non-commercial movies which could not find place in theatres.