Doordarshan coverage plans for the upcoming International Day of Yoga 2015

New Delhi, 18th June 2015: Doordarshan Kendra, Delhi has made elaborate arrangements to successfully live telecast International Day of Yoga from Rajpath on the morning of 21st June 2015. Around 23 cameras have been deployed by linking together three OB Vans with microwave and OFC cables to cover this mega event.

The live coverage of the event is touted to be totally different from that of the Republic Day Parade that Doordarshan brings annually to India and the world as this would encompass much more panoramic and wide view of the happenings at Rajpath. The logistics involved in the live telecast of upcoming International Day of Yoga are complex, as the area involved stretches for almost 1.5 kms from Rafi Marg to India Gate and will encompass the entire lawns to the north and south of Rajpath. The 23 Doordarshan cameras being used for the coverage, have been placed  in strategic positions to cover all the 40,000 participants, distinguished guests and the Prime Minister Sh. Narender Modi, who will be present at Rajpath on this historic occasion.

Doordarshan will use thirteen raisers of five feet and ten feet height, which have been covered aesthetically with yoga motifs to place the cameras. Three Jimmy jip cameras which can provide an aerial view from a height of 40 meters will also be used to add to the visual impact of the coverage. One of the cameras has been additionally placed at the halfway point on a hydraulic lift which can go up to about 50 ft high. This camera is at the junction between Rajpath and Janpath and can give the viewer an aerial perspective, covering participants at both ends of the venue. In addition, two cameras will be placed on top of India gate and will give panoramic shots of the central vista. 

The coverage will also include the production of a small stage; instructional yoga by experts will be shown by using three cameras and by deploying a fourth OB Van. The output of this OB van will be provided by Doordarshan to the organisers for display on giant LCD screens, adding to the visual impact of the event.

The event will start at 6.20 am on the morning of the 21st of June with a 9minute introductory film, welcoming all to the world of yoga and will go on up to 7.45 am or till the end.

The producer of this mega event is Shanti Swaroop Bhakoo from Doordarshan Kendra Delhi who has extensive experience in live OB’s like the Republic Day Parade and the Independence Day celebrations. Over a hundred staff from the programme, engineering, scenic and administrative side are working round the clock to ensure a coverage befitting international standards.  All technical operations are being supervised by Sh. S.N. Singh, DDG (Engineering). Nadoja Dr Mahesh Joshi, Additional Director Doordarshan is the overall in charge of this historic mega live coverage of Doordarshan.