New Delhi, 08 September 2025: On the occasion of the 66th Foundation Day of Doordarshan, Delhi Study Group, in association with Om Books International, will host the launch of Doordarshan Diaries: The Golden Era of Television by veteran journalist and news anchor Sheila Chaman. The event will take place at the Deputy Chairman’s Hall, Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, 3:00 p.m. onwards.
The book will be formally released by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, and Railways, in the presence of Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Deputy Minister for Information & Broadcasting, along with other eminent personalities from various fields.
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 programmes that defined an era—including cultural staples such as Krishi Darshan, Chitrahaar, Hum Log, Ramayan, and Mahabharat.
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, and documentary producer. 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 celebrated DD personalities like Salma Sultan and Sarla Maheshwari.
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 recognised with prestigious honours: 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).