The Police Commissioners of Mumbai...

Late Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor

Last week a suave, mild, soften spoken,a gentleman and a police officer died of heart attack . He was only 62. His name was Hasan Gafoor.During the course of my duty, I had a chance to interact with him on many occasions  while I was serving the Public Broadcaster and he  the Public in Mumbai. May his soul rest in peace. 

Logo of Mumbai Police

                                    Talking about my interaction with Mumbai Police and its Commissioners I remember it was the Year 1993 when the ill fated Bomb blast took place.  The coordinated attacks where the most destructive bomb explosions in Indian History. The credibility of Mumbai Police was at its nadir.

 Comm. PoliceR D Tyagi 

  R D Tyagi was the Police commissioner. He approached DDK Mumbai, if some image building was possible for the demoralized force. At that time I used to be the Deputy Director of the TV Station. I took the onus & responsibility to do the Image building exercise and a 14 part series was born on Mumbai Police Force.

News Paper Coverage on the Mumbai Police 

R S Sharma(left) with Comm.Police Mehrotra & Dep.Dir.DD Mukesh Sharma 

 That was the beginning of Doordarshan's cordial relationship with Mumbai Police and its Commissioners.The Series which started with Mr RD Tyagi culminated when Mr Subhash Malhotra became the CP of Mumbai   

 R S Sharma series facing the DD Camera for the TV series  when he was Jt. CP  

Inspector Madhukar Zende 

Right from police history, law & order, crime and punishment, fingerprinting, nakabandi to narcotics & drugs we tried to cover all the aspects of Mumbai police.There was an episode on how Inspector Madhukar Zende captured the notorious killer Charles Shobhraj who is now languishing in jail in Nepal. Retired inspector Zende came to DD studios to narrate the story. 

Late Hemant Karkare

                        

The icing on the cake was the episode which was anchored and presented by another gifted officer of Mumbai police late Hemant Karkare whom we lost during 26/11. He was  the Deputy Commissioner in the department of Narcotics & Drugs. This was the best episode of the series, since Mr Hemant Karkare went beyond the call of duty and put his heart and soul in it.

Another Police Commissioner whom I still share a wonderful rapport is Mr MN Singh. In fact his tenure as the Mumbai Police commissioner and mine as the Director DDK Mumbai coincided. He was a proactive policeman and very positive in his approach. Couple of times he came to the studios to air his views.  

M N Singh with Mukesh Sharma at DDK Mumbai

    A N Roy was another Police Commissioner whom I interacted with more when he was heading the traffic police of Mumbai. During his tenure as the Police Commissioner he came to DD to inaugurate  a TV play which had the star cast comprising of  Policeman in service. That was the first time, such an experiment was done by the Mumbai Police with the pub caster         

A N Roy at DD studios with Mukesh Sharma and  the star cast

  The last time I had managed to bring together a battery of retired Police Commissioners was in the year 2001 when  I started a new program on DD Sahyadri called Saap Seedi or Snakes & Ladder . Four  Veterans from the Mumbai police participated. Needless to mention the show  took  the fortunes of  DD Sahydri Channel to greater heights.

All about Innovation at DDK Mumbai

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0900 RESPONDING TO THE SATELLITE CHALLENGE Mukesh Sharma, Director Doordarshan Mumbai: reviving DD’s fortunes Gokul Singh Khatre, Nepal TV: asserting a Nepalese identity Mukesh Sharma Director Doordarshan Mumbai gave a presentation on the setting up of the Doordashan Marathi language satellite channel Sahyadri. The channel had come into existence as DD-10 in August 1994 with 10 hours of telecasting. In April 2000 the channel was renamed Sahyadri and launched as a 24 hour channel. Between 1430 and 2000, the transmissions had terrestrial support from 104 transmitters in Maharashtra and Goa, giving the channel access to more than 50 million viewers. By the year 2000, four more Marathi channels had come into existence - Alpha Marathi in the Zee Network, Eenadu Marathi , Prabhat from an NRI Group, and Tara formerly in the Star Group. Alpha Marathi had established the lead with 35-40% of channel reach, whereas Sahyadri at that time was at around 3%. The connectivity of the channel in cable and satellite homes was very poor; the signals were distorted by the cable operators; the programming was unimaginative; the transmission quality bad; and the staff had low morale and lacked motivation. Mukesh Sharma took over as Director in May 2000 with the aim of making Sahyadri the leading Marathi channel. Nearly 20 hours of live programming was started, with more phone-in programmes, more colourful and vibrant sets and a new presentation style. Through the intervention of the minister ( Arun Jaitley), the channel was given a place on the prime band and better cable connectivity was achieved. Better rapport with DD engineers brought an improvement in video quality. Careful scheduling pitched a successful afternoon phone-in programme called ‘Hello Officer’ against feature films on other channels. The police commissioner, who featured in one programme, told DD: ‘ I had better move my office here as things move faster!’ Capacity to cover live events was increased. Live coverage of the International Fleet Review was a technical feat for the station. More than 50% of airtime was given to public service programmes. Over a period of a year, new young talent was introduced. New five minute slots were created which brought additional advertising revenues. All slots were sold to the highest bidder, with no favouritism whatsoever. A number of innovative gameshows were developed in house. After a gap of several years, film stars, VIPs and celebrities began to participate in programmes. Two additional news bulletins were introduced ( bringing new revenues) ; daily programme meetings with staff helped to raise standards and overcome technical and production problems; the station also demanded a level playing field from the press and improved its media profile. In due course, it was asked to produce a national phone-in featuring great artists like Bismillah Khan. Mukesh Sharma said his philosophy as Director was ‘to remain a subject to my people and not act as Director’. He would call up the station at 0200 or 0400 to talk to programme and engineering staff. ‘Only when you’re crazy, do you get things working’ he said. Within twelve months, there had been spectacular growth in the channel’s audience - from 3% to 43%. In April 2000, it had 29.3 million urban viewers and 19.5 million rural viewers - with over 50 million viewer in total. It had succeeded in becoming the leading Marathi language channel. Mukesh Sharma set out the vision for Sahyadri in 2001-2002: a) to ensure that it maintained its number one position among Marathi channels b) to increase viewership by another 25% c) to increase the revenue target by another 50% and d) to ensure that the public service broadcasting mandate of the channel remained intact.

Aamir Khan in the midst of Mahacharcha at DDK Mumbai..Birthday rememberence..

  By 2006 DDK Mumbai had become a force to reckon with.It had withstood the storm of the regional satellite channels Film personalities and celebrities alike paid a visit to  Doordarshan as and when invited.   

 Aamir Khan offers a hand shake to Mukesh Sharma (Director) during his visit to DDK Mumbai

I remember it was 14th April 2006, just after a month of his 41st birthday, when Aamir khan visited the Anti-Narmada dam agitators, sitting on Dharna and hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar Road in New Delhi, demanding that the height of the dam not be raised. This was a shot in the arm for the agitators. Just after a week on a Friday when DDK Mumbai use to produce a  topical, very popular  LIVE program Mahacharcha, in Marathi, that I invited Aamir khan to participate. He readily obliged, since I had chosen Anti Narmada Dam Agitation as the subject.

A googly from the audience in the studios at DDK Mumbai

Though the live show was in Marathi, but  once on Air, Aamir Khan slipped into the skin of the topic with ease and was at his best during the Q&A session. 

 "I do not know about the technicalities involved in raising the height of the dam. What I do know is that farmers have been displaced from their land and they have lost their livelihood. Till the people who have already been displaced by the dam are not rehabilitated, the height of the dam should not be raised.""Last week when I was in Delhi, I passed by Jantar Mantar and  I decided to come back and learn more about their problems," he told the viewers.

Aamir Khan with the audience 

Seems to be impressed ..

 2012 happens to be the 100th year of Indian cinema. And on 14th March  2012 Aamir Khan adds one more glorious year to his life & works May he continue to captivate audience  & inspire them through his  extraordinary brand of cinema

WHISTLING WOODS INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES SCHOOL OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION WITH AN MBA PROGRAM

WWISMC officially started its  two year, full-time Post Graduate Program, offering a wide range of subjects to choose from, all under one roof.

Lamp lighting at the launch of WWI School of Media and Communication

 Leading industry professionals from their respective fields of expertise like Mr. Mukesh Sharma, Deputy Director General, Doordarshan; Mr. Praveen Nagda, MD, Peregrine; Mr. Brian Tellis, Chairman, Fountainhead Promotions and Events; Mrs. Chitra Mulani, Corporate Communications head for Tata AIG; Mr. Ravi Gupta, former CEO of Mukta Arts & Acting Dean of WWI; Rahul Puri, Executive Director of Mukta Arts and Subhash Ghai, Chairman, WWI were present to encourage the new aspiring bunch of enthusiastic students entering the media and communication industry. The guests speakers had an insightful session with students after inaugurating SMC with lighting of the lamp.

Subhash Ghai, Chairman, WWI, adressing the first batch of MBA - Media and entertainment students

Mr. Subhash Ghai, Chairman, Whistling Woods International encouraged the first batch of students on their first step towards a new goal and said, "This course will give you all a unique opportunity in different fields like journalism, audio-visual production management, advertising management, and events management to corporate communications. I am grateful to these leading industry professionals who are here to share their expert guidance with the students and I am hoping that you grab this opportunity and make the most of it."

Mukesh Sharma, Deputy Director general, Doordarshan, at WWI

Mukesh Sharma, Deputy Director General, Doordarshan motivated the students and advised, "There is no shortcut to success without hard work and focus; the world is testing you for your future. Be obsessed with your work. You have to value the inner matter as the outer crust has no value. Find your value within yourself and you will be successful."

Ujjwal Chowdhury, Dean, WWI school of media and Communication

Whistling Woods International School of Media and Communication (WWISMC) will be headed byProf. Ujjwal K. Chowdhury as the Dean. He has more than 12 years of media education experience to his credit. He spoke to the students and said, "This is the first time that students will get an opportunity to avail of a dual MBA in Media & Entertainment along with the Post Graduate course in media and communication at Whistling Woods International (WWI). WWISMC is inching towards being the best institute offering the students a great education with top class facilities. I am looking forward to share my knowledge alongside my fabulous faculty, with this young and immensely talented bunch of students."

Expert Panel (L-R) Subhash Ghai, Mukesh Sharma, Pradeep Nagda, Deepak Choudhary, Ujjwal Chowdhury, Rahul Puri

Add capExpert panel (L-R) Chitra Mulani, Ravi Gupta, Brian Tellis, Ujjwal Chowdhurytion

This new initiative of Whistling Woods will present paramount opportunities to their students to wholly exploit their talents and capabilities for a lucrative career in the media industry. With a light hearted yet informative, the session came to an end paving a new path for this new maiden batch of media professionals.

Devanand & Lata Mangeshkar

Devanand with admirers at DDK Mumbai

During my tenure with DDK Mumbai, I developed couple of phone in programmes viz. Hello sakhi,  Hello Sahydri, Hello doctor, Hello DD etc. Hello DD was the National Network programme. It was a live program and viewers pan India would call and chat with their favourite film personality. The show which commenced on a Sunday somewhere towards the end of 2000 lasted for 5 years. Practically all the who's who of the film industry took part in the Hello DD programme . Right from Shatrughan Sinha, Subhash Ghai, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Asha Bhosle, Jitendra, Anu Malik, Ila Arun, Devanand and the list is endless.

Devanand at Doordarshan kendra Mumbai

  Dev Sahab was  particular about the Anchor. He wanted that Mr. Vishwanath  Sachdev the editor of NavBharat Times , Mumbai  should interview him. Well we got Mr Sachdev for him . The programme was well received by the audience. Dev sahib got phone calls from every nook and corner of the country. He enjoyed the live show and marvelled at the technology, DD had. Though Mumbai Doordarshan was inaugurated on 2^nd oct .1972 but this was the first time that Devanand  visited  the DD Kendra (TV Station).

Devanand, Vishwanath Sachdev & Mukesh Sharma. 

On 26^th Sept 2012, the evergreen actor will be 88 years old. He is still going strong and has no desire of hanging his boots. His latest venture is the film Charge sheet to be released in Cinemas on 28^th Sept. An incurable romantic ,Dev Sahab looks upto young people on how to live life “ They inspire me but I must have also inspired them at some point of time.....I live in the same era as them”.   May   Dev  Sahab  continue to inspire the younger generation with his never ending zeal and passion for life.

Devanand & Mukesh Sharma (Director DDK Mumbai)

    

 LATA MANGESHKAR TURNS 82 on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2011.

On 28 September 2011 the Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar will complete 82 years. We are lucky to have been born during the life and times of Lataji.

Her golden voice has been a panacea to our souls. . Through this Post I wish her a long, happy and peaceful life. May she continue to inspire us.

Lata Mangeshkar at Doordarshan Kendra Mumbai

Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar or Lata Didi as we address her,visited DDK Mumbai on 23rd April 2004 , as the chief guest for the Sahydri Navratna Awards. Since Broadcasting schedules are time bound , I had to take her date well in advance. I was told she had a weakness or liking for Orchids. I bought some of the prettiest orchids I could lay my hands on. It was a sight to see Lata Didí's expression . Like a child the smile ran on her face. "How do you know that I like orchids" said Didi, while holding them. "I did my home work Didi before coming to you ", was my immediate response.

Lata Mangeshkar with Mukesh Sharma

Needless to mention she accepted the invite but with a rider. She will be with us, only for half an hour . I agreed, but destiny had something else in store . I remember she had a severe headache when she arrived at Doordarshan. I told her she can leave in 10 minutes, after she had inaugurated the show. But to my surprise she did not leave.

Her reason to sit through the entire function, in her own words was, "It is a very well conceived show and a far cry from what the pvt TV channels are producing . I do not want to miss it . Sharma if you can organise some tea and medicine , I would like to watch the entire show". Andhaa kya chahe do aankhe...... And rest is history. Lata Didi sat for full three hours with us. As usual after the show she complimented us and the following remarks in Marathi language were etched in the memoir book of DDK Mumbai.

Lata Mangeshkar, Hridayanath Mangeshkar & Mukesh Sharma

"Doordarshan madhey kelesya sudharna pahun faar anand vatla. Ya poorvi hey darshan doormach dhayve ase vaate. Pan aata maatr ha jhalela baddal abhinand aahe.Shri Mukesh Sharma yaanche mee abhinandan karte , dhanyavaad dete."

(I am very happy to see the changes made at Doordarshan. Before this, one only wanted to watch it from afar (pun on the name Doordarshan). But now these changes are truly commendable. I not only congratulate Mr. Mukesh Sharma but thank him for it as well.)

Mansi the Daddycated child...

The baby girl name Mansi comes from the Indian word which means, "Woman."Marathi word which means, "Sound of Mind." India word which means, "it is the name of the holy river in India-symbolically flowing out from lord Shiva 's long hair.." Sanskrit word which means, "Goddess of Wisdom."

Someone also suggested the name is an Hindu Mythology word which means, "born from heart."Hindi word which means, "The one who grants wishes ." Gujrati word which means, "Imagination."

To us Mansi was "born from heart". 

As a child Mansi was very caring, strong willed, single minded, dedicated,hard working and conscientious. A big motivator she was always counselling her friends, the only soft spot was her craze for any and all animals.

Little Mansi with Jaya Bachchan (1990)

Shammiji, Jayaji and Mansi (1990)

I remember in 1991 when I was in CFSI we were celebrating Mansi's 5th birthday, and I had specially invited Jayaji to bless her. She made it a point to come and presented her with an unusual gift. A beautiful pink poncho, which Mansi insisted on wearing even though the Mumbai weather did not permit.

Aditya and Mansi 

Aditya, Mansi, Shibani and Jayaji

  Nearly 20 yrs later on 14th June 2011, Jayaji was one of the many guests who braved the rains to bless Mansi and  Lt Aditya for their wedding reception at Mumbai.

Ameen Sayani & Ashutosh Gawarikar  came to bless Aditya and Mansi

Parth (Mansi's Brother), Aditya, Mansi, Shibani & Mukesh Sharma

Aditya Katdare and Mansi knew each other since their college days at St. Xaviers College - Mumbai. both of them pursued their education with single minded dedication before tying the knot. They both have a Masters degree and Aditya is now a Lieutenant in the Indian Army.

Mahrashtra Home Minister RR Patil  blessing the couple

Hon.Minister Patang Rao Kadam with Aditya and Mansi

English Essayist, Poet, Dramatist and Statesman Joseph Addison wrote in the 17th century "Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is a desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express".

Sunil Shastri (S/O former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri) presenting the book on the late PM 

Johny Lever was there to bless Aditya and Mansi

             Its a pity that we continue to ignore our daughters in this country.

No tobacco day

Shaina NC (extreme right), Juhi Babbar & Mukesh Sharma (2nd & 3rd from left) on World no Tobacco Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) selects "The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" as the theme of the next World No Tobacco Day, which will take place on  Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Celebrities & Media persons awaiting their turn  to walk the ramp on World No Tobacco Day

Eight years ago on 31st May 2003  I had a chance to wear fashion designer Nita Lulla's dress and walk the ramp at Mumbai in support of  World No Tobacco Day. The event was organised by Shaina NC, daughter of Nana Chudasma, former Sheriff of Mumbai.

The walk.....

Friends to support the cause...

I remember all my friends and well wishers had come to witness the historic walk on the Ramp.

These are some of the pictures taken on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.                                 

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death. This year, more than 5 million people will die from a tobacco-related heart attack, stroke, cancer, lung ailment or other disease. That does not include the more than 600,000 people – more than a quarter of them children – who will die from exposure to second-hand smoke. The annual death toll from the global epidemic of tobacco use could rise to 8 million by 2030. Having killed 100 million people during the 20th century, tobacco use could kill 1 billion during the 21st century.

  Jokes Apart.....Smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics.