Mahender Kumar Sharma - Session 01

AR-020-21-1

(00:00:00 – 00:02:30) Project introduction by the interviewer, explaining the NCBS–TIFR initiative to document the histories of technicians and maintenance engineers in India’s audiovisual and broadcast sectors. Context of archives and consent is established.

(00:02:31 – 00:05:30) Mahendra Sharma describes his early life in a village near Palwal, limited schooling, and the economic constraints of a farming household. He explains how these conditions shaped his entry into technical education.

(00:05:31 – 00:09:00) He recounts enrolling in ITI training in Radio and Television at Nizamuddin and his initial struggles finding stable employment. Early work as a radio mechanic and assembler in informal electronics markets is described.

(00:09:01 – 00:12:30) Sharma narrates his work in Lajpat Rai Market during the late 1970s, assembling pocket radios and multi-band radios, piece-rate wages, and the intensity of manual electronics production.

(00:12:31 – 00:15:30) He discusses joining Disco TV and Western TV, moving from assembly to production roles. An unexpected promotion to production engineer follows an accident involving a senior colleague.

(00:15:31 – 00:18:30) Short stints at Televista and a Telefunken factory taken over by Dalmia are described. Sharma emphasizes factory discipline, production targets, and proximity to his village as motivating factors.

(00:18:31 – 00:22:00) He explains his entry into Doordarshan in the early 1980s, early postings in MCR and MSR, and frustration when assigned to non-electronics duties such as AC plant work despite his technical background.

(00:22:01 – 00:25:30) Sharma details multiple transfers within Doordarshan, including installation work and postings at Vigyan Bhavan. He clarifies timelines around joining in 1982–83.

(00:25:31 – 00:29:30) He describes working in ENG maintenance during the tube-camera era, including registration issues, tube damage, and the physically demanding nature of maintenance work.

(00:29:31 – 00:32:30) The transition from tube cameras to CCD cameras is discussed. Sharma explains how CCD technology reduced manual labor and simplified fault diagnosis.

(00:32:31 – 00:36:00) Posting to Jaipur ENG maintenance is recalled. He describes working with M3 tube cameras, early CCD systems, and adapting to new technical environments.

(00:36:01 – 00:39:30) System conversion work and mentorship by senior engineers are discussed. Sharma explains being encouraged to pursue further qualifications beyond ITI.

(00:39:31 – 00:42:30) He narrates completing a part-time diploma through Jamia, balancing work and study, and the importance of certification for promotion from technician to engineering roles.

(00:42:31 – 00:46:00) Sharma emphasizes self-learning through books, libraries, and continuous upgrading of skills—from tubes to CCDs to microprocessors.

(00:46:01 – 00:49:30) A detailed incident is described where Sharma fixed a long-standing camera fault by identifying a broken wire, earning recognition and outstanding performance reports.

(00:49:31 – 00:52:30) He recounts resolving a jammed VTR tape containing a Chief Minister’s recording, reinforcing trust in his diagnostic abilities.

(00:52:31 – 00:55:00) Sharma describes repairing an M3 camera deemed irreparable by others, working long hours alone to locate hairline cracks on circuit boards.

(00:55:01 – 00:56:50) The interview concludes with reflections on minimalist repair tools, systematic troubleshooting logic, pride in technical labor, consent for archival use, and hopes that his experience benefits future researchers.

10 October 2025

Oral histories of technical personnel in Broadcast and Community Video

Mahender Kumar Sharma