Community radio plays a significant role at the grass root levels for rural development. For instance, issues of poverty, gender inequality, education, social problems among others can be addressed by community radio in local language which can be received on receivers costing one dollar. Radio provides participatory communication techniques that supports agricultural extension by communicating directly with farmers and listeners’ groups.
Birth of Gyanvani channel for IGNOU: MOU with AIR Resources
40 FM Radio Stations, for transmission of education based programmes, are to be commissioned in two years. The Government has identified Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as the nodal agency for these "Gyan Vani" Stations. The IGNOU has come to an understanding with Prasar Bharati to make use of the existing infrastructure of All India Radio to co-locate the transmitters for these stations, which will help save substantial costs. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to this effect here today between Prasar Bharati and IGNOU. The signatories to the MOU were Shri K. S. Prasada Rao, Registrar of IGNOU and Shri H. O. Srivastava, Chief Engineer from AIR. Shri H. P. Dixit, VC of IGNOU and Shri Anil Baijal, CEO of Prasar Bharati were also present.
IGNOU intends to commission, five of these transmitters within 3 months, in Lucknow, Vishakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Bhopal and Allahabad, and in all 12 transmitters in one year. Though IGNOU will be the nodal agency for the Gyan Vani Channel, its 40 centres will be essentially independent and the channel will be decentralised in structure and functioning.
A majority of the programmes for Gyan Vani will come from existing educational institutions such as UGC, NCERT, NOS, NLM etc. NGOs and other social and voluntary agencies will be partners in production and programme content for non-formal education and community participatory programmes. In the first phase, the channel will broadcast for 8 hours everyday, 6 to 10 am and 6 to 10 pm.
Birth of Private FM Broadcasting in India: MOU with Private Broadcasters
AIR plans for FM players Even as private FM radio licencees have started making their own tower arrangements in Mumbai, All India Radio (AIR) is making a last-ditch attempt to tap the Mumbai stations. According to AIR Resources head HO Srivastava, a new proposal to build a tower will be presented
to the private FM licencees for their Mumbai stations. The proposal is expected sometime this month.
Just after the signing of MoU between Prasar Bharati and private operators on sharing AIR towers
in three metros,Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata and two non metros, Indore and Vishakapatnam,
for 16 private radio stations here on Monday, Dr Srivastava indicated that AIR may still bag the Mumbai project.
According to Dr Srivastava, the Mumbai tower can be built in another two years. As for its cost, he said: "We have to negotiate on that." Meanwhile, Prasar Bharati has made a business worth Rs 3.5 crore for offering its towers to private licencees for 14 metro stations and two non-metro stations this year. Earlier, it had garnered Rs 14 crore for its deals with Ignou and Music Broadcast Private Ltd. The annual tower-sharing fee for Delhi is Rs 25 lakh per annum per broadcaster and Rs 13.36 lakh each for Kolkata and Chennai. Plus, there will be additional fee for land, roads and security.
Mauritius Tunes In To AIR FM
Mauritius Tunes In To AIR FM
Posted online: May 01, 2002 at 0000 hrs
New Delhi: In a significant development, India has bagged a contract to offer its All India Radio (AIR) FM services to Mauritius. This is for the first time that India has struck a deal of this nature with another country.
Even as countries in Africa and Asia have recently begun receiving AIR FM programmes on satellite radio platform WorldSpace, the current deal with Mauritius will enable listeners to tune in to their normal FM radio sets for AIR programmes.
The contract with the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation has been approved by authorities of both the countries, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed soon, according to AIR Resources head Dr HO Srivastava. If things go as planned, this service will take off within the next two months in Mauritius, said Dr Srivastava.
Birth of Kisan (Agriculture) channel in India
In a country like India, where the literacy level is low and different languages are spoken in different parts of the country, radio and television play significant role in informing the farmers for using the modern methods of farming in their own language. Although some agriculture programs were broadcast from AIR and Doordarshan (Broadcast network of India) for a long time, it was Nov. 2001, when the Ministry of Agriculture approached Ministry of I & B and Prasar Bharati to provide a channel exclusively dedicated to farmers for broadcast of information regarding agriculture and allied fields. It was the year 2003, when Dr. H. O. Srivastava, Head AIR Resources from Prasar Bharati had a meeting with the Secretary and other senior officers of Ministry of Agriculture to frame the proposal. Ultimately, a meeting was fixed with the then Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Shri Rajnath Singh to finalise the proposal which was attended by me from Prasar Bharati side and senior officers of Ministry of Agriculture. Honorable Minister asked me to provide a channel just like All India Radio and Doordarshan, for farming community. I told him, “Sir it will cost about INR. 50,000 crores.” He told, “It is OK. Prime Minister wants this and it must be done immediately.” My next reply was “Sir, such a network will take some time. I have an immediate solution to start the channel. I can provide the entire AIR & DD network dedicated to kisan program for a few hours and we may launch it tomorrow.” Everyone in the chamber was excited. I was requeued to submit the proposal along with the draft Cabinet note. I did it in a couple of days and the approval of the Government was obtained and the Kisan Channel was launched on 15th Feb 2004. The salient points were:
An exclusive project on Mass Media support to Agriculture Extension entitled ‘Kisanvani’ from February, 2004, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, to keep the local farmers informed about the daily market rates, weather reports and day to day information in their respective areas, at micro level.
Broadcast from identified 96 AIR stations across the country in a narrow casting mode.
The program is mostly interactive in content involving field-based recordings of farmers and studio dial outs and dial-ins with experts and farming community which are quite popular among the target audience.
The immediate solution was provided in 2004. However, the total solution could not be undertaken due to change of Government and change of my portfolio.
As on date, the agriculture productivity per worker in India is 2% as compared to a farmer in USA, primarily due to lack of education, skill, knowledge and capacity. There is need for lot of upskilling of farming community for transformation of traditional agriculture to "knowledge agriculture". A new mode of upskilling of farmers using technological intervention is required immediately.
If we provide right skill and tools to the farmers, the farming will be a profitable business in the country.
Could India have given Internet to the world?
Our Unix computers apart from the AIR headquarters, were installed in zonal offices. Our first data transmission trial was done between Delhi & Kolkata in 1985-86, using INSAT1 B as carrier. The nodes at AIR Headquarter in Delhi and East Zone in Kolkata were chosen since, the computer centers and the Broadcast studios were in the same premises and the satellite link could easily be extended to the computer center. The g-protocol of UUCP was used to transfer information in an error-free form. We were able to send file/ receive file/ upload commands and hang up. It was a great success. However, since the overseas transmission was in the domain of OCS (a Government of India department) which was not permitted and there was lack of funding support, the experiment was not done further.
The Research for data transmission in US and Europe was undertaken at the same time and the timeline for Internet transmission globally is compared in the diagram.
The research for Broadcasting in the cyberspace (Internet) was continued and published by Dr. Srivastava, in IEEE (https://doi.org/10.1109/30.555772) in 1996. The same year (late 1996), John Woodell published “dancing Baby” on web. Further research was undertaken and several papers were published.
Birth of Radio on Indian Rails
I wished to fulfil my young age dream using WorldSpace satellite that AIR had leased to provide services in Asia and Africa. The problem of satellite radio is that the dish antenna must continuously get the signal from satellite. We decide to use a technology known as space diversity which uses multiple dishes at several places. We contacted Indian Railway authorities and explained our plan to conduct the trial. We fitted the dishes on the top of the train both on engine and guard side to avoid interruption while the train passed though bridges. The signals were combined and fed to the announcement system using a bridge and control system in Guard’s room. It was decided to relay the news, morning broadcasts and special broadcasts, if there were any.
Discussions were held with the top authorities of Railway board who gave its in-principle approval to go-ahead on select Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains. It was decided to conduct the trial and Delhi-Mumbai Shatabdi express on 18th June 2002. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was agreed to be signed after the June 18 trial run. It was decided that AIR and the Railway Board will hold another round of talks to finalise the modalities of the new service.
The first trial was on Delhi-Mumbai route on 18th June 2002 was a grand success. People on train were amazed and excited to get the program on running train including the relay of 2002 FIFA World Cup commentary. Subsequently, this was extended to more express trains which had facilities of PA system in the train.
One morning, I learnt that Engineer in Chief, AIR sent his favourite person from R & D to present this innovation in International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva without the knowledge of innovators. Nevertheless, it was highly appreciated and acclaimed by ITU. It was learnt that China was quick to use in their trains.
Birth of AIR satellite radio to Middle East & North East Africa and south East Asia
In this video, I am describing the start the of digital radio service by All India Radio to extend the Delhi FM service to Middle East and North East Africa. In the beginning of 2000, few discussions were held among Shri Rajiv Rattan Shah, CEO, Prasar Bharati, Shri H. M. Joshi, Engineer-in-Chief, Dr. H. O. Srivastava, Director and other senior officers. It was decided to hire space on transponder of Afristar World Space satellite, world’s first satellite radio network, to implement this service. The modalities were worked out by Dr. Srivastava and the MOU was signed on 24th May, 2000 between CEO Prasar Bharati and Mr. Harold Adam, President and Chief Operating Officer, WorldSpace, who flew from Washington, USA to Delhi. The service was inaugurated by Madam Sushma Swaraj, Minister of Information & Broadcasting from Broadcasting House, New Delhi and became operational on Aug. 15, 2000. With an additional beam taken in Feb 2002 on Asiastar serving south east countries, AIR served most of the countries in Asia and Africa with high quality digital music.
The WorldSpace satellite radio with capability to deliver multimedia services had potential to provide education and healthcare apart from high quality music. AIR Resources wanted to explore these as a business. It found that many of the private broadcasters such as Sahara, Airtel, music companies etc. were interested in using the platform for broadcasting different genres apart from music such as news on radio, which is still not allowed in India for private broadcasters. The biggest gap was that of uplink from India to foreign satellite which was not permitted. AIR Resources and WorldSpace agreed to sign a MOU with the understanding that AIR would provide space in Broadcasting house, New Delhi to WorldSpace who would set up Uplinks to the Asiastar and Afristar satellites. This could save the cost being incurred by Prasar Bharati on sending the signal from New Delhi to Singapore for its existing services. Further, the MOU provided for sharing revenue with World Space for uplinking by private broadcasters willing to use WorldSpace service.
Subsequently Prasar Bharati shared its DTH platform with private broadcasters by leasing its uplink and transponder space.
Birth of Broadcast Engineering consultants India Ltd. (BECIL), a Public Sector under Ministry of I & B
Birth of Broadcast Engineering consultants India Ltd. (BECIL), a Public Sector under Ministry of I & B
During 1980s and 1990s, Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a public sector undertaking under Ministry of Communications, Government of India used to get contracts for Broadcast Operation & Maintenance Services, from African countries like Oman, Botswana, NIGERIA etc. Having no expertise in their internal organization, they used to request All India radio, through Ministry of I & B for providing staff on deputation to manage these contracts.
In 1981, while recommending a few names on such a requisition, Shri H. S. Jolly called Shri V. B. Pradhan, and Dr. H. O. Srivastava and amused if we could form a BCIL within Ministry of I &B and earn revenue for the department. A proposal was made and sent to Ministry of I & B. However, the proposal did not find favour and it was dropped.
In 1996, Shri H. M. Joshi, Engineer in Chief asked Dr. Srivastava if he could revive the proposal. Dr. Srivastava talked to Shri N. Chawla, Jt. Secretary and various officers of Ministry of I & B and explained the virtue of forming the company. The potential of earning huge revenue by providing consultancy and taking contracts in Asia Pacific region and African countries was emphasized. Secretary Ministry of I &B agreed to process the proposal.
The action was quick. The proposal with MOA/AOA, Core Group staff, revenue projections etc. was framed by Dr. Srivastava. Ministry of I & B circulated the proposal to Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance and other Ministries as required, their observations / comments received. A few observations incorporated:
Subsequent judgement of Honourable Supreme Court and subsequent order of Chief Vigilance Commissioner:
Finally cabinet note was drafted. Cabinet approved the proposal and BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS INDIA LIMITED came into existence in 1997.
Establishment of Technical Education and Research Institute (TERI) in Ghazipur, UP
Establishment of Technical Education and Research Institute (TERI) in Ghazipur, UP
“यह जन्म हुआ किस अर्थ अहो, समझो जिसमें यह व्यर्थ न हो , संभलो कि सुयोग न जाय चला, कब व्यर्थ हुआ सदुपाय भला “ मैथिलीशरण गुप्त
A new Institute by the name of Technical Education and Research Education (TERI) was established by me in 1994 in my birth place, Ghazipur city in UP.
This enabled higher education to local students in eastern Uttar Pradesh, nearer their home.
My Guru Dakshina (Pay back) to my Guru.
Constitution of Indian Broadcasting (Engineers) Service
Constitution of Indian Broadcasting (Engineers) Service
“Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The video is a tribute to Padma Shri H. S. Jolly, who contributed immensely to the growth of organizations (All India Radio and Doordarshan) by constituting Indian Broadcasting (Engineers) Service with help from his colleagues namely Shri V. B. Pradhan and Dr. Hari Om Srivastava.
Birth of Computer in All India Radio (Ministry of I&B) India: A saga of computer history from 1980's
Birth of Computer in All India Radio (Ministry of I&B) India: A saga of computer history from 1980's
In 1982, computers in India were rare. Wipro, DCM and Usha used to sell PC XT with 8088 chip for about Rs. 5.0 Lakh. After examining their PCs, I wanted to procure slightly more powerful computer. I found about two computers being used in Delhi at that time, one by Cabinet Secretariat, a US manufactured PDP-11, computer and the other by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), a mini computer made by ESPL, Mohali Punjab. The visit to these places was facilitated by Sh. S. S. Varma, Director General. My first preference was PDP-11, but I learnt US was very reluctant in exporting computers to India and export could take several years. So I decided for Mini Computer from ESPL, a PSU which was faster. We procured the first computer and it was installed on 5th Floor of Akashvani Bhawan with PMIS and Payroll to start with. The Computer center was inaugurated by Shri V. N. Gadgil, Minister of I & B.
We procured four more mini computers and commissioned in the four Zonal offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
I was not satisfied with the computing power. Those days, US or its allies had put restrictions on procurement of main frame computers, with the fear that India could use it for defense purposes by using simulation of processes. National Informatics Centre (NIC) wanted to control all processing systems in his center with computer terminals with Govt. departments. No Government department could procure Computers without approval of NIC. Maize of restrictions nationally and internationally. With lot of persuasion and the fact that, AIR wanted to use Computers for Computer aided design (CAD), whose data could not be transferred using DOT lines during those days, NIC ultimately approved the setting up of Computer division with a mainframe computer and CAD terminals with necessary staff under a Director IT for which the post was also created. During 1985, Norwegian Government agreed to supply main frame computers to India though it’s company Norsk Data, Norway, which used its proprietary OS (SINTRAN) and Database. They were supplying computers to CERN, Finish and Swedish nuclear plants. India jumped on the opportunity and procured six super-mini computers, one for AIR, one for DESU (Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking) and four for Defence.
We established the computer division with Norsk Data ND-550, supermini computer with CAD center and a Mini computer in Computer Headquarter in Akashvani Bhawan, four mini computers in Zonal offices, several PCs at various AIR centers including News Division and started implementing automation in several processes. We operated 14 databases and automated many processes that received several awards and acclaims. We shall discuss a few processes in other series. Dr. H. O. Srivastava was the Director and pivotal in establishing the Computers in AIR, DD and several other departments of Ministry. He also started networking of the centers under the project (AIRNET).
