MUMBAI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati bid adieu to chairman A Surya Prakash in its 159th board meeting. Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javdekar expressed his thanks and appreciation on Prakash’s completion of two consecutive terms in the office & felicitated him by remembering his valuable contribution to the organisation.

The pubcaster's CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati expressed, “On behalf of the entire @prasarbharati family would like to thank Chairman Dr A Suryaprakash for his leadership, mentorship, sagely wisdom and uncompromising commitment to the Institutional Integrity of Prasar Bharati over the past several years.”

He further said, “India's public broadcaster was adrift for more than a decade after it came into being as a statutory autonomous corporation. It was only after Prakash’s chairmanship that it has been firmly put on the path of modernisation as a 21st Century Public Media Corporation. This has been possible singularly because of Prakash’s progressive creed to infuse professional talent into the public broadcaster and his forward thinking on the need for the public broadcaster to be come digitally savvy.”

Vempati also expressed that many of Prasar Bharati's long pending knotty problems have been solved under his stewardship over the past few years with the board, ministry and management working in synergy with the oneness of mind and purpose. He will always be remembered for having stood like a rock in preserving Prasar Bharati's autonomy during testing times with the Institution emerging ever stronger as it strives to modernise and transform itself.

“Personally Prakash was a source of strength during turmoil and a voice of caution during impetuous moments. He will be sorely missed as he looks ahead to his next innings in public life with several more books and columns waiting to flow from his pen. Our best wishes to him and thanks and regards to his family who were kind enough to spare him for the cause of Public Service Broadcasting over the past several years,” Vempati concluded.

Prasar Bharati twitted, “Prasar Bharati Parivar conveys its warm wishes to its Chairman @mediasurya, who served two consecutive terms as the head of the Board. CEO @shashidigital & Member (F) @raj3eev felicitated him with a token of appreciation."