Sheila Chaman’s Book “Doordarshan Diaries: The Golden Era of Television” Launched

NEW DELHI (TIP): On the momentous occasion of the 66th Foundation Day of Doordarshan, Delhi Study Group, in association with Om Books International, hosted the launch of “Doordarshan Diaries: The Golden Era of Television” by veteran journalist and news anchor Sheila Chaman. The event took place at the Deputy Chairman’s Hall, Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, and was graced by distinguished leaders, media veterans, and cultural personalities.

The book was formally released in the presence of Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Deputy Minister for Information & Broadcasting, who attended as the Guest of Honor. The well-organized event, conducted by Sheila herself, was attended by a wide cross-section of people and personalities from different walks of life. Among them were Salma Sultan, the iconic newsreader; Jyotsna Rai, a popular DD presenter of that era; Ashok Tandon, Member of the Prasar Bharati Board; along with newsreaders, DD presenters, cameramen, and producers from Doordarshan’s golden era..

Speaking on the occasion, Sheila Chaman said, “Doordarshan is more than an institution, it is a feeling, a shared memory that united families and communities across India. Through this book, I wanted to capture not just the programs or personalities but the ethos of an era when television brought the nation together. The overwhelming response today has reaffirmed that Doordarshan continues to live in our hearts as a cultural anchor.”

Adding to the sentiments, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Deputy Minister for I&B, said, “I am delighted to see Doordarshan’s legacy being chronicled by someone who has lived through it. Sheila Chaman’s work captures the soul of Indian television—the warmth, simplicity, and integrity that distinguished it from today’s fast-paced media culture. This book will be a treasured reminder of an era where television was not just watched, but experienced together.”

The gathering felt like a scene from Doordarshan’s golden era, with so many familiar faces present to congratulate Sheila Chaman on her milestone achievement. Sudhir Chaudhry, the ace news anchor who was trained by Sheila during his time at Zee News, praised the book, noting that it beautifully encapsulates the essence of that era and serves as a beacon for those aspiring to join the television medium.

Speaking about the book, Sheila Chaman said, “This book is my tribute to Doordarshan—the institution that shaped my life and career, and in many ways, the collective memory of an entire nation. I hope readers, young and old, will relive the magic of those evenings when families across India paused to watch, learn, and dream together.”

 About the Book

Doordarshan Diaries: The Golden Era of Television is a nostalgic journey into the golden era of Indian television. It chronicles the rise of Doordarshan as a unifying cultural force across the nation, from its modest beginnings to becoming a shared cultural memory.

Through vivid recollections and untold anecdotes, Sheila Chaman brings alive the charm of black-and-white screens, the gravitas of iconic news anchors, and the pioneering programs that defined an era—including cultural staples such as Krishi Darshan, Chitrahaar, Hum Log, Ramayan, and Mahabharat.

11 members of the Doordarshan family of that golden era have gone down memory lane to capture and encapsulate the charm and challenges faced by them in various departments and how they all overcame them to shape the medium as it stands today.

For the older generation, it is a walk down memory lane. For the younger, it is a gentle invitation to rediscover their roots in a quieter, slower India—one frame at a time.

 About the Author:

Sheila Chaman, a distinguished face of Doordarshan, has had a career spanning over three decades as a news anchor, journalist, columnist, documentary producer and Trainer. Many of today’s popular News anchors on various TV News Channels have been trained by her to give them that finesse which she shared from her days with Doordarshan. She is also known for her work as a social worker and environmentalist. Her insider’s perspective makes “Doordarshan Diaries “ a rare archival account of Indian television history, enriched with anecdotes from other Doordarshan personnel.

About the Publisher

Om Books International (OBI) is one of India’s leading English-language trade publishing houses, with over three decades of experience in publishing and retail. OBI publishes across a wide spectrum of categories, including fiction, non-fiction, memoir, children’s books, illustrated titles, and cinema. Its catalogue features both Indian and international voices, combining cultural relevance with commercial success. Its publishing excellence has been recognized with prestigious honors: in 2020, it won the Romain Rolland Book Prize for the Hindi translation of Asterix; and in 2015, its title To Dad, With Love won First Prize for Excellence in Book Production from the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP).

A guest who attended the book launch event commented.

“Some moments can turn into memories for a lifetime. September 15th was one such day. The ‘stars’ of Doordarshan that all of us saw as inspiration while growing up in the 1980s and 90s, came together at ‘The Constitution Club’ to mark the launch of ‘Doordarshan Diaries’ put together by famous news broadcaster Sheila Chaman.

It is true nothing feels more euphoric than nostalgia and Monday evening was loaded with memories and stories that shaped the early years of broadcasting in young India.  Every anecdote shared by all the people from the Golden era of Doordarshan at the launch brought back memories of the news and views delivered each day with  elegance and poise. The women broadcasters of Doordarshan were also the icons who set the bar high for women of their generation to be confident, fearless and poised to lead from the front.

And I must say like in those days when we focused on making the most of the time we were allowed to watch TV in our childhood and had no cellphones to distract us, on Monday, I got so involved in listening to the stories, enamored by voices floating in the room and admiring the signature big rose flower elegantly resting on the hair of  Salma Sultan ji – the famous news broadcaster of that era who continues to inspire,  that I forgot to take photos.

Looking forward to reading the book and preserving it as a priceless memory of a time where life still seemed to move at a pace that was slower and quieter but clearly more invested in enjoying the present as it unfolded and prepare for the surprises that lay in the future

A time that allowed us to register experiences more deeply and meaningfully.