China Hushed !

Exhibiting deft handling Indians staged a sterling victory forcing shades of green over her very red neighbour. The Chinese bid to gain an additional seat in the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) was thwarted by Prasar Bharathi. Elections were held at Malaysia on the 16th of December.

Keeping rather quiet over this prestigious victory, Prasar Bharathi the official Indian contender , exhibits great deal of maturity. The voting pattern rather than outcome of this election is of significance to the Indian government as Prasar Bharathi is the nation’s public broadcaster. Government of India speaks to citizens thru Prasar Bharathi’s various DoorDarshan TV channels and over 400 radio stations.

Election result startled the Chinese candidate as not a single vote went in their favour. Even the habitual India baiter, Turkey, voted for India. Pakistan is said to have abstained but could not be confirmed as calls to the ABU office at Kuala Lumpur went unanswered. With Malaysia, too, putting their weight behind India, this victory could be explored for advancing diplomatic agenda. Malaysia has been ever too interested in commenting on internal matters of India.

Winner of this election, Shahi Shekhar Vempati, will wear lightly this additional role along side his other weighty responsibility at Prasar Bharathi. Vempati is the youngest CEO of Prasar Bharathi.

While how this victory was achieved and if the Indian side exerted much effort is unknown.

Senior Journalist and Ex- Chairman of Prasar Bharathi,

Surya Prakash said, “it is only fitting that Prasar Bharathi won it“ and congratulated Vempati and his the team behind this feat.

This Indian gain shows the way for perennial to come together in a professional manner. It proves that global media remains above narrow regional agenda and could in fact work in tandem to propagate fairness

Mr. Vempati will function at the ABU alongside two other Vice Presidents ( one existing Chinese and one South Korean ) under the guidance of President Mr. ibrahim Eren, of Turkish Radio and television Corporation.

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) established in 1964 and is globally the largest union of media professionals . Consisting of 260 members from 60 nations in four continents, the ABU has ability to reach over 3 billion people on last count – which is nearly the half of humanity.

Indian Minister of Information and Broadcasting Mr. P Javdekar congratulated Vempati and Prasar Bharathi.

(Writer is the Chief India Correspondent for ITVgold)