As one takes a stroll down a narrow lane at Kukatpalli on the outskirts of Hyderabad one comes across massive period buildings amidst the modern day concrete structures. Naturally then, the Roman palace, interiors of a Jewish temple, arches built of stone overlooking houses with narrow entrances take the passers-by completely by surprise.

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INDUSTRY REACTS TO GILL'S MOVES
SS Gill, chief executive of Prasar Bharati, has ridden into the eye of a storm with his directives to Mandi House to spruce up its act and emphasise its role as public service provider. His announcements have drawn flak from the chairperson of Prasar Bharati, Nikhil Chakravarty, and two board members for being hasty given that the board is to meet on December 10. With governance in limbo for the time being as the country prepares for the polls, the fate of the board itself appears uncertain since the Prasar Bharati bill has to be ratified by December 31. However, Gill’s avowed commitment to improve programming quality, reduce the preponderance of similar software, abolish the gift-and-ichai culture of Mandi House as well as use DD’s Rs 1,000 crore budget to commission new programmes has evoked cautious approval from several television programme makers.

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