Respected Sir and My dear friends,
I am Ashfaque Ahmad Khan, (Engineering Assistant) LPT Amravati. Maharashtra (WZ). My retirement on superannuation is on Date 30.09.2020 after completion of more than 38 years of service in a Glorious department. I would like to share my feelings and experience about my service and department.
My journey in this Glorious department started from Doordarshan Kendra Bombay in November 1981 as a Technician at the age of 22. Before moving ahead let me share a story from my college days. This journey started with a dream of a college student. At the age of 18, when I was a student at Amravati (R &TV), I got a chance along with my batch for an Industrial visit to Doordarshan Kendra Bombay in 1978.
In those days visiting DDK Mumbai was so fascinating. There I saw recording of a Classical Music Show, a Tabla Maestro with his team and Instruments were there on the sets for recording. And it struck a chord in young me. There I dreamt that I have to get here anyhow…At that moment I had no idea how can I get a job there, so I decided to learn classical music. This was just a dream, not knowing that the destiny has already decided this for me.
Long story short, One day in 1981 an interview call letter came to my hand it was from Doordarshan Kendra Bombay. I attended the interview where 18 candidates were present for a single post of Technician. And with my confidence, knowledge and by God’s Grace I got selected for that single post.
DDK Mumbai gave me an opportunity to work as well as learn with well experienced Seniors and supportive colleagues. It’s a large centre having elaborate program production facilities and large studios. For the first year I got chance to work in all sections of Engineering Department and then for the next 4 consecutive years I worked in Video Maintenance Section till 1985. My officers would keep full trust on me and gave free hand to me. So I worked hard for Control room equipments, Zoom lens, Turtle lens Cameras, Video Monitors, Audio Console, and other Electronic equipments. I Also worked for DDK Mumbai converting B & W to color recording & Transmission, And newly introduced for TV network PDAs Erection work for changeover from Microwave link to Satellite network. Working for OB coverage in various cities for Cricket Matches, Satellite Tennis etc. was very exciting and always a thrilling experience.
In May 1985 I got my first promotion as Senior Technician. Then in December I989 I passed Engineering Assistant Exam, till then I am Working as a Engineering Assistant. Throughout this period I worked at different LPTs in the state of Maharashtra & Gujrat gaining new experiences.
Besides technical section, I also worked in office administration at LPT Amravati for Department of Official language i.e. Rajbhasha Hindi, My keen interest in Rajbhasha helped me to achieve the First and Second Award continuously from 2013 to 2019 (consecutive seven time). I would like to share one more dream of mine. I served my full service in Doordarshan but it was my wish to work for Akashwani (ALL INDIA RADIO). But I did not get transfer in All India Radio, My officers told me that we want you in Doordarshan only. “Kahte hain agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho … to poori qainaat use tumse milaane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai”. This happened with me again…
When I got posted from LPT Nasik to Amravati in the year 2012. After some time our LPT (TV) shifted to All India Radio (FM) premises and in the same transmitter hall of AIR (FM). An opportunity came to me to fulfill my wish to work at All India Radio (FM) as this is the combine setup of All India Radio & Doordarshan. Now I am working in both All India Radio & Doordarshan simultaneously. The department helped me to develop professionally and personally. This journey would have not been easy without my sweet family . My better half Reshma has always supported me, following the shift duty schedule .
Elder Daughter is a medical practitioner and married. Younger one is an Engineer by profession and pursuing her career in Amravati. My son who is youngest of all has completed his Masters in Computer and has set up his own business. Last but not the least; this was a wonderful and a memorable journey. Please accept my apology if any of you got hurt by me at any point of time.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the department, to all my Officers, Seniors and Colleagues.
Retiring friends may also like to address their friends through this blog for which they can send their photo & write-ups to pbparivar@gmail.com for possible upload on the blog.
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