Oral History Interview : Rakesh Kumar

Content Description

This interview is of Rakesh Kumar who graduated from ITI Delhi in 1980, in electronic and microwave communication. He worked in a number of companies as a technician and insolation engineer and was part of the team that installed the first 3D immersive video screen of 210 degrees at Appughar in Pragati Maidan. In 1985, he joined Doordarshan Srinagar as an engineering assistant. He was part of the team that introduced colour TV Broadcast in Srinagar and went on to specialize in outdoor broadcasting vans. In 1988, he was transferred to the Transmission Department in Delhi and was part of the maintenance crew for OB (outdoor broadcasting) and ENG crews and led the team which designed the digital OB van in a smaller vehicular chassis that only required a two-man crew. Since retiring from Doordarshan in the late 2010s, he has joined industry as a designer for studio and lighting equipment.

Condition Description

This oral history interview is recorded in WAV format and spans a total duration of 51 minutes. The audio is clear, with consistent volume and minimal environmental interference. The speaker’s voice is distinct and intelligible throughout, with no overlapping speech or background noise. The interview has been made into summary for reference.

Accession Date

2025-10-10

Disposition

The recording has been retained fully as part of the oral history collection due to its significant documentation of community narratives and underrepresented voices. No materials have been removed or reassigned from this accession. Consent forms have been signed by the interviewees and handed over to AMP.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Provenance

This interview was conducted and compiled by Surajit Sarkar in 2025. It was created by the PAST grantee ( AMP) in order to document oral histories of AV technical staff from the Delhi region.

Retention Rule

This preserves the less heard voices of people involved in the Audio Visual world from 1970s to 2000. Digital files are being stored in an external Hard Disk HDD at AMP and on the google cloud. The digital files will be permanently housed at Archives at NCBS, with access governed by project policy. Copies will also be shared with the donor.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for access unless mentioned in specific folders of the finding aid.

Use Restrictions

Copyright may not have been assigned to Archives at NCBS. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). See access guidelines for more information (https://archives.ncbs.res.in/access). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material and material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.