Doordarshan deploys 24 hi-tech cameras to cover Rajpath event

It took 24 hi-tech cameras and around 200 skilled technicians for Doordarshan to cover the mega show at Rajpath, to mark the first International Yoga Day, which was beamed live the world over.
Doordarshan officials who have the experience of covering Independence Day and Republic Day parades said that the coverage of the IYD presented a different kind of challenge as the logistics were more complex.
The mega event stretches for almost 1.5 kms from Rafi Marg to India Gate and encompassed the entire lawns to the north and south of Rajpath.
The two dozen Doordarshan cameras used for the coverage, were placed in strategic positions to cover over 35,000 participants, which also included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who himself did the asanas.

"A team of nearly 200 skilled technical and support staff worked round the clock for the last couple of days to ensure high quality coverage," said Mahesh Joshi, Additional Director Doordarshan, who was the overall in charge of the coverage.
Officials said that Doordarshan used thirteen raisers of five feet and ten feet height, covered with yoga motifs to place the cameras.

Three Jimmy jip cameras provided an aerial view from a height of 40 meters. One of the cameras was additionally placed at the halfway point on a hydraulic lift which could go up to about 50 ft high.

This camera was at the junction between Rajpath and Janpath and gave the viewer an aerial perspective, covering participants at both ends of the venue.
Officials said that the Doordarshan feed was used widely not only by a gamut of private channels in the country but abroad as well.
Meanwhile, officials in the Information and Broadcasting ministry said that it had worked not only to support Doordarshan's coverage plans but also ensure wide dissemination of information related to the event.
"Rather than paid advertisements, the focus of the ministry was on information dissemination especially on the internet. Among other things, E-posters were prepared and circulated to ensure wide publicity for the event," a senior official said.

The events were also streamed on the internet, the official added.