Rajiv Mehrotra - Revision history

SamantBrara: adjusted information additionally and fixed typos

2026-02-10T02:50:55Z

adjusted information additionally and fixed typos

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:20, 10 February 2026
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	{{~~EngvarB~~\|date=August 2014}}		{{Short description\|Indian writer, television producer-director, documentary film maker,}}
			{{Use British English\|date=August 2014}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2020}}
	~~[[File:~~Rajiv Mehrotra.jpg\|~~thumb\|~~Mehrotra in 2013]]		{{Infobox person
	'''Rajiv Mehrotra''' is an Indian writer, television producer-director, documentary film maker, a personal student of the Dalai Lama for whom he manages as Trustee/Secretary The Foundation for Universal Responsibility ~~(www.furhhdl.org)~~ established with the Nobel Peace Prize.<ref>[http://www.vh1.com/movies/person/484348/personmain.jhtml?personid=484348 Profile] ''[[VH1]]''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103121821/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/01/28/stories/2006012803420400.htm A question of answers] ''[[The Hindu]]'', 28 January 2006.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121015001242/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1010950/Rajiv-Mehrotra Rajiv Mehrotra] ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> He is best known as the former acclaimed host of one of [[India]]'s longest running talk shows on [[public television]], "In Conversation",<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19971006/27950613.html Rajiv Mehrotra's In Conversation Today] 6 October 1997.</ref> that has been through several incarnations over more than twenty years, aired on the India's National broadcaster, [[Doordarshan\|Doordarshan News Channel]], Saturdays at 9.30 pm.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHeNqfZjmM ''Rajiv Mehrotra'' interviews UG Krishnamurti]</ref>		\| name = Rajiv Mehrotra
			\| image = Rajiv Mehrotra.jpg
	~~{{Short description\|Indian writer, television producer-director, documentary film maker,}}~~		\| caption = Mehrotra in 2013
			\| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age\|YYYY\|MM\|DD}} -->
			\| birth_place = India
			\| occupation = Writer, television producer-director, documentary filmmaker
			\| known_for = Hosting ''In Conversation'' on Doordarshan, work with the Dalai Lama, documentary films
			\| notable_works = ''Conversations with The Dalai Lama'', ''Thakur – A Biography of Sri Ramakrishna'', ''Mind of The Guru''
			\| education = La Martiniere Calcutta; St Stephen's College, Delhi; Universities of Oxford & Columbia
			\| awards = 50 National Film Awards, 285 national and international awards, Global Leader for Tomorrow (World Economic Forum)
			\| spouse = [[Meenakshi Gopinath]]
			\| website = {{URL\|http://www.psbt.org}}
			}}
			'''Rajiv Mehrotra''' is an Indian writer, television producer-director, documentary film maker, a personal student of the Dalai Lama for whom he manages as Trustee/Secretary The [[Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama\|Foundation for Universal Responsibility]] established with the Nobel Peace Prize.<ref>[http://www.vh1.com/movies/person/484348/personmain.jhtml?personid=484348 Profile]{{dead link\|date=November 2023\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}} ''[[VH1]]''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103121821/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/01/28/stories/2006012803420400.htm A question of answers] ''[[The Hindu]]'', 28 January 2006.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121015001242/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1010950/Rajiv-Mehrotra Rajiv Mehrotra] ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> He is best known as the former acclaimed host of one of [[India]]'s longest running talk shows on [[public television]], "In Conversation",<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19971006/27950613.html Rajiv Mehrotra's In Conversation Today] 6 October 1997.</ref> that has been through several incarnations over more than twenty years, aired on the India's National broadcaster, [[Doordarshan\|Doordarshan News Channel]], Saturdays at 9.30 pm.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHeNqfZjmM ''Rajiv Mehrotra'' interviews UG Krishnamurti]</ref>

	As a documentary film maker, producer, and commissioning editor his 650 films have won 50 national awards from the president of India and more than 285 national and international awards. They have had more than 1500 film festival screenings around the world from Berlin, Chicago, and Rotterdam to Mumbai, Qatar, and Yamagata. Three of his documentary films have been archived by the Motion Picture Academy of America, well known for presenting the Oscars. He has authored nine books that have been published in 50 editions and languages. They are primarily on spirituality, most notably ''Conversations with The Dalai Lama'', ''Thakur'' – a biography of Sri [[Ramakrishna]] and ''Mind of The Guru''. He was a student of the late [[Swami Ranganathananda]], president of The [[Ramakrishna Mission]] and of the iconic Yoga teacher [[BKS Iyengar]]. He serves as the founder and managing trustee of ~~The~~ Public Service Broadcasting Trust (www.psbt.org) and till recently chairman of The Media Foundation (www.thehoot.org)		As a documentary film maker, producer, and commissioning editor his 650 films have won 50 national awards from the president of India and more than 285 national and international awards. They have had more than 1500 film festival screenings around the world from Berlin, Chicago, and Rotterdam to Mumbai, Qatar, and Yamagata. Three of his documentary films have been archived by the Motion Picture Academy of America, well known for presenting the Oscars. He has authored nine books that have been published in 50 editions and languages. They are primarily on spirituality, most notably ''Conversations with The Dalai Lama'', ''Thakur'' – a biography of Sri [[Ramakrishna]] and ''Mind of The Guru''. He was a student of the late [[Swami Ranganathananda]], president of The [[Ramakrishna Mission]] and of the iconic Yoga teacher [[BKS Iyengar]]. He serves as the founder and managing trustee of [[Public Service Broadcasting Trust]] (www.psbt.org) and till recently chairman of The Media Foundation (www.thehoot.org)

	Rajiv Mehrotra has twice addressed plenary sessions of the World Economic Forum who elected him a Global Leader for Tomorrow. He was a judge of the Templeton Prize, typically presented by Prince Philip in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The monetary value of the prize is adjusted so that it exceeds that of the Nobel Prizes, as Templeton felt "spirituality was ignored" in the Nobel Prizes. He was educated at La Martiniere, Calcutta; St Stephen's College, Delhi and the Universities of Oxford & Columbia.		Rajiv Mehrotra has twice addressed plenary sessions of the World Economic Forum who elected him a Global Leader for Tomorrow. He was a judge of the Templeton Prize, typically presented by Prince Philip in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The monetary value of the prize is adjusted so that it exceeds that of the Nobel Prizes, as Templeton felt "spirituality was ignored" in the Nobel Prizes. He was educated at La Martiniere, Calcutta; St Stephen's College, Delhi and the Universities of Oxford & Columbia.
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	==Career==		==Career==

	Mehrotra today manages, as the honorary secretary/trustee, The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,.<ref>[http://www.www.furhhdl.org/people Board of Trustees] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105215549/http://www.furhhdl.org/people \|date=5 January 2009 }} ''The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness [[The Dalai Lama]].</ref><ref>established with funds the [[Nobel Peace Prize]].</ref> and is the founder and managing trustee of The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (www.psbt.org)[ He was trustee of the [[Norbulingka Institute\|Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture]], the [[Navdanya Trust]]. He was till recently chairman of The Media Foundation that administers the Chameli Devi Awards for Journalism and a media watch dog website The Hoot (www.hoot.com) He has been a close personal student of His Holiness The Dalai for nearly thirty years.		Mehrotra today manages, as the honorary secretary/trustee, The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,.<ref>[http://www.www.furhhdl.org/people Board of Trustees] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105215549/http://www.furhhdl.org/people \|date=5 January 2009 }} ''The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness [[The Dalai Lama]]''.</ref><ref>established with funds the [[Nobel Peace Prize]].</ref> and is the founder and managing trustee of The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (www.psbt.org)[ He was trustee of the [[Norbulingka Institute\|Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture]], the [[Navdanya Trust]]. He was till recently chairman of The Media Foundation that administers the Chameli Devi Awards for Journalism and a media watch dog website The Hoot (www.hoot.com) He has been a close personal student of His Holiness The Dalai for nearly thirty years.

	Mehrotra has published several books, including ''The Mind of The Guru'', ''Understanding The Dalai Lama'', ''The Essential Dalai Lama'', "Thakur" a biography of [[Sri Ramakrishna]] all by [[Penguin Putnam Inc.\|Penguin]]/ [[Viking Press\|Viking]],<ref>~~[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2008/07/28/stories/2008072850270100.htm~~ The path of the guru~~]{{Dead link\|date=April 2019 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}~~ [[The Hindu]], 28 July 2008</ref> The Open Frame Reader – on the Indian documentary was published by Rupa. Recently published is a new revised and expanded edition of The Mind of The Guru by [[Hay House]] and due early next year, is a book on creativity: ''The Spirit of The Muse'', 2009 also saw the publication of "In My Own Words" by the Dalai Lama edited by Rajiv Mehrotra and "Conversations with The Dalai Lama on Life, Living & Happiness" both by Hay House, USA. He is working on a spiritual biography of His Holiness The [[Dalai Lama]]		Mehrotra has published several books, including ''The Mind of The Guru'', ''Understanding The Dalai Lama'', ''The Essential Dalai Lama'', "Thakur" a biography of [[Sri Ramakrishna]] all by [[Penguin Putnam Inc.\|Penguin]]/ [[Viking Press\|Viking]],<ref>"The path of the guru", ''[[The Hindu]]'', 28 July 2008</ref> The Open Frame Reader – on the Indian documentary was published by Rupa. Recently published is a new revised and expanded edition of The Mind of The Guru by [[Hay House]] and due early next year, is a book on creativity: ''The Spirit of The Muse'', 2009 also saw the publication of "In My Own Words" by the Dalai Lama edited by Rajiv Mehrotra and "Conversations with The Dalai Lama on Life, Living & Happiness" both by Hay House, USA. He is working on a spiritual biography of His Holiness The [[Dalai Lama]]

	From 2000, he has been managing trustee, executive producer and commissioning editor of [[The Public Service Broadcasting Trust]] (PSBT)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060527033120/http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040410940200.htm Managing trustee, Rajiv Mehrotra] [[The Hindu]], 4 April 2006.</ref> that has produced more than 600 independent documentary films, largely by mentoring young starting out film makers, winning some 2800 awards from 1500 international film festival screenings. His films have won numerous international and more than 49 national awards from the [[president of India]]. He has directed films such as a ten-part series for television on [[Sri Ramakrishna]] (The Great Swan), [[Angkor Vat]] (Axis Mundi), the places of [[Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]] (The Footsteps of the Buddha), the 'Krishnamurthi Schools' (Awakening of Intelligence), The [[Tabo Kye]] monastery (Sacral Legacy), on the Dalai Lama for [[PBS]] in the US (Ocean of Wisdom) etc. Three of his documentary films have been archived by the Motion Picture Academy of America, well known for presenting the Oscars.		From 2000, he has been managing trustee, executive producer and commissioning editor of [[The Public Service Broadcasting Trust]] (PSBT)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060527033120/http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040410940200.htm Managing trustee, Rajiv Mehrotra] [[The Hindu]], 4 April 2006.</ref> that has produced more than 600 independent documentary films, largely by mentoring young starting out film makers, winning some 2800 awards from 1500 international film festival screenings. His films have won numerous international and more than 49 national awards from the [[president of India]]. He has directed films such as a ten-part series for television on [[Sri Ramakrishna]] (The Great Swan), [[Angkor Vat]] (Axis Mundi), the places of [[Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]] (The Footsteps of the Buddha), the 'Krishnamurthi Schools' (Awakening of Intelligence), The [[Tabo Kye]] monastery (Sacral Legacy), on the Dalai Lama for [[PBS]] in the US (Ocean of Wisdom) etc. Three of his documentary films have been archived by the Motion Picture Academy of America, well known for presenting the Oscars.

	Mehrotra has twice addressed plenary sessions at 'The [[World Economic Forum]]' at [[Davos]] and was nominated a 'Global Leader for Tomorrow' by them. He has served as a judge for The [[Templeton Prize\|Templeton Prize for Religion]], on the governing council of the [[Sri Aurobindo Ashram\|Sri Aurobindo Society]], The [[Film and Television Institute of India]] (FTII)<ref>[http://www.gmpublications.com/product_info.php?products_id=24235 About the Author]</ref> and as the chairman of the jury of the 50th anniversary [[Indian National Film Awards]] for Non-feature films.<ref>~~[http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2017/stories/20030829001908700.htm 50th National Film Awards]~~ {{~~Webarchive~~\|~~url=~~https://web.archive.org/web/20070916110616/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2017/stories/20030829001908700.htm ~~\|date=16 September 2007~~ }} [[Frontline (magazine)\|Frontline]], [[The Hindu]] Group, Volume 20 – Issue 17, 16–29 August 2003.</ref>		Mehrotra has twice addressed plenary sessions at 'The [[World Economic Forum]]' at [[Davos]] and was nominated a 'Global Leader for Tomorrow' by them. He has served as a judge for The [[Templeton Prize\|Templeton Prize for Religion]], on the governing council of the [[Sri Aurobindo Ashram\|Sri Aurobindo Society]], The [[Film and Television Institute of India]] (FTII)<ref>[http://www.gmpublications.com/product_info.php?products_id=24235 About the Author]</ref> and as the chairman of the jury of the 50th anniversary [[Indian National Film Awards]] for Non-feature films.<ref>{{usurped\|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070916110616/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2017/stories/20030829001908700.htm 50th National Film Awards]}} [[Frontline (magazine)\|Frontline]], [[The Hindu]] Group, Volume 20 – Issue 17, 16–29 August 2003.</ref>

	He started his career in broadcasting on [[All India Radio]] on its youth programme at age 12, on television as the anchor of 'Youth Forum' at age 17 in 1970 and as a television journalist with India's national broadcaster, [[Doordarshan]] in 1980s, where he also worked as a news anchor. Soon he switched to making television short films and documentaries, and started his in-depth talk show, ''In Conversation'', which got him acclaim. According to TAM (Television Audience Meter) data it has had the highest viewership across all television news channels in India in its genre. The Programme also had the highest viewership across news channels when it was on air on the Doordarshan News Channel on Saturdays at 9.30 pm.{{citation needed\|date=May 2019}} It featured people ranging from several heads of state from George Bush and Václav Havel to numerous Nobel Laureates, Baba Amte, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and The Dalai Lama, BKS Iyengar to Richard Gere, Zubin Mehta and Mahashweta Devi. It had been through several incarnations over more than twenty years. The programme is currently taking a break.		He started his career in broadcasting on [[All India Radio]] on its youth programme at age 12, on television as the anchor of 'Youth Forum' at age 17 in 1970 and as a television journalist with India's national broadcaster, [[Doordarshan]] in 1980s, where he also worked as a news anchor. Soon he switched to making television short films and documentaries, and started his in-depth talk show, ''In Conversation'', which got him acclaim. According to TAM (Television Audience Meter) data it has had the highest viewership across all television news channels in India in its genre. The Programme also had the highest viewership across news channels when it was on air on the Doordarshan News Channel on Saturdays at 9.30 pm.{{citation needed\|date=May 2019}} It featured people ranging from several heads of state from George Bush and Václav Havel to numerous Nobel Laureates, Baba Amte, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and The Dalai Lama, BKS Iyengar to Richard Gere, Zubin Mehta and Mahashweta Devi. It had been through several incarnations over more than twenty years. The programme is currently taking a break.
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	* ''The Essential Dalai Lama: His Important Teachings'', Penguin Books India. 2005. {{ISBN\|0-670-05825-4}}.		* ''The Essential Dalai Lama: His Important Teachings'', Penguin Books India. 2005. {{ISBN\|0-670-05825-4}}.
	* ''Understanding the Dalai Lama''. Viking. 2006. {{ISBN\|0-670-05810-6}}.		* ''Understanding the Dalai Lama''. Viking. 2006. {{ISBN\|0-670-05810-6}}.
	* ''The Open Frame Reader: Unreeling the Documentary Film'', ed. by Rajiv Mehrotra, Rupa & Co.; with the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, 2006. {{ISBN\|81-291-0920-4}}.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006060400170300.htm&date=2006/06/04/&prd=lr& Bookwatch] [[The Hindu]], 6 April 2006.</ref>		* ''The Open Frame Reader: Unreeling the Documentary Film'', ed. by Rajiv Mehrotra, Rupa & Co.; with the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, 2006. {{ISBN\|81-291-0920-4}}.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120903125308/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006060400170300.htm&date=2006/06/04/&prd=lr& Bookwatch] [[The Hindu]], 6 April 2006.</ref>
	* ''Authorised Biography of Tenzin Gyatso: The 14th Dalai Lama'', Penguin Books Canada, Ltd, 2006. {{ISBN\|0-670-04521-7}}.		* ''Authorised Biography of Tenzin Gyatso: The 14th Dalai Lama'', Penguin Books Canada, Ltd, 2006. {{ISBN\|0-670-04521-7}}.
	* ''Thakur: A Life Of Sri Ramakrishna'', Pbk. Penguin Books India. 2008. {{ISBN\|0-14-306371-5}}.		* ''Thakur: A Life Of Sri Ramakrishna'', Pbk. Penguin Books India. 2008. {{ISBN\|0-14-306371-5}}.
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	[[Category:Indian television talk show hosts]]		[[Category:Indian television talk show hosts]]
	[[Category:Indian male journalists]]		[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
	[[Category:University ~~of Delhi~~ alumni]]		[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
	[[Category:La Martiniere Calcutta alumni]]		[[Category:La Martiniere Calcutta alumni]]
	[[Category:Alumni of St Edmund Hall, Oxford]]		[[Category:Alumni of St Edmund Hall, Oxford]]
	~~[[Category:Indian television presenters]]~~
	[[Category:20th-century Indian journalists]]		[[Category:20th-century Indian journalists]]
	[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]		[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
	[[Category:~~Male~~ biographers]]		[[Category:Indian male biographers]]
			[[Category:India–Tibet relations]]
			[[Category:14th Dalai Lama]]

imported>Amjad4life: Added short description

2021-08-25T15:24:39Z

Added short description

New page

{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
[[File:Rajiv Mehrotra.jpg|thumb|Mehrotra in 2013]]
'''Rajiv Mehrotra''' is an Indian writer, television producer-director, documentary film maker, a personal student of the Dalai Lama for whom he manages as Trustee/Secretary The Foundation for Universal Responsibility (www.furhhdl.org) established with the Nobel Peace Prize.<ref>[http://www.vh1.com/movies/person/484348/personmain.jhtml?personid=484348 Profile] ''[[VH1]]''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103121821/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/01/28/stories/2006012803420400.htm A question of answers] ''[[The Hindu]]'', 28 January 2006.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121015001242/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1010950/Rajiv-Mehrotra Rajiv Mehrotra] ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> He is best known as the former acclaimed host of one of [[India]]'s longest running talk shows on [[public television]], "In Conversation",<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19971006/27950613.html Rajiv Mehrotra's In Conversation Today] 6 October 1997.</ref> that has been through several incarnations over more than twenty years, aired on the India's National broadcaster, [[Doordarshan|Doordarshan News Channel]], Saturdays at 9.30 pm.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHeNqfZjmM ''Rajiv Mehrotra'' interviews UG Krishnamurti]</ref>

{{Short description|Indian writer, television producer-director, documentary film maker,}}

As a documentary film maker, producer, and commissioning editor his 650 films have won 50 national awards from the president of India and more than 285 national and international awards. They have had more than 1500 film festival screenings around the world from Berlin, Chicago, and Rotterdam to Mumbai, Qatar, and Yamagata. Three of his documentary films have been archived by the Motion Picture Academy of America, well known for presenting the Oscars. He has authored nine books that have been published in 50 editions and languages. They are primarily on spirituality, most notably ''Conversations with The Dalai Lama'', ''Thakur'' – a biography of Sri [[Ramakrishna]] and ''Mind of The Guru''. He was a student of the late [[Swami Ranganathananda]], president of The [[Ramakrishna Mission]] and of the iconic Yoga teacher [[BKS Iyengar]]. He serves as the founder and managing trustee of The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (www.psbt.org) and till recently chairman of The Media Foundation (www.thehoot.org)

Rajiv Mehrotra has twice addressed plenary sessions of the World Economic Forum who elected him a Global Leader for Tomorrow. He was a judge of the Templeton Prize, typically presented by Prince Philip in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The monetary value of the prize is adjusted so that it exceeds that of the Nobel Prizes, as Templeton felt "spirituality was ignored" in the Nobel Prizes. He was educated at La Martiniere, Calcutta; St Stephen's College, Delhi and the Universities of Oxford & Columbia.

==Early life and education==

Rajiv Mehrotra did his schooling from [[La Martiniere Calcutta]], and later studied at [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]], [[St Edmund Hall, Oxford]], Oxford University and received his [[Master of Fine Arts]] (MFA) in Film Direction from [[Columbia University]] in 1981.<ref>[http://www.inlaksfoundation.org/Inlaks-Alumni-List.asp?currpage=1&sort=alph&al=R&stat=old Inlaks Foundation alumni]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[http://www.psbt.org/general/trustees#rm Trustees] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423065307/http://www.psbt.org/general/trustees |date=23 April 2014 }} ''The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT)''.</ref> While in school he twice won the Best Speakers Award at the National Public Schools Debating Competition, was editor of the School Magazine and a lead actor in school productions; at Stephen's he was Secretary of The Shakespeare Society, The English Literary Society and the Cine Club and Acting President of the Students Union; at Oxford University he directed several plays including Othello, Shrivings (Peter Shaffer), The Shrew (Marowitz) and Tughlaq (Girish Karnad) as a director for the prestigious Oxford University Experimental Theatre Club at the professional Oxford Playhouse. At Columbia University he worked with the Oscar-winning film director Miloš Forman and won scholarships from the INLAKS Foundation & UNESCO.

==Career==

Mehrotra today manages, as the honorary secretary/trustee, The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,.<ref>[http://www.www.furhhdl.org/people Board of Trustees] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105215549/http://www.furhhdl.org/people |date=5 January 2009 }} ''The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness [[The Dalai Lama]].</ref><ref>established with funds the [[Nobel Peace Prize]].</ref> and is the founder and managing trustee of The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (www.psbt.org)[ He was trustee of the [[Norbulingka Institute|Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture]], the [[Navdanya Trust]]. He was till recently chairman of The Media Foundation that administers the Chameli Devi Awards for Journalism and a media watch dog website The Hoot (www.hoot.com) He has been a close personal student of His Holiness The Dalai for nearly thirty years.

Mehrotra has published several books, including ''The Mind of The Guru'', ''Understanding The Dalai Lama'', ''The Essential Dalai Lama'', "Thakur" a biography of [[Sri Ramakrishna]] all by [[Penguin Putnam Inc.|Penguin]]/ [[Viking Press|Viking]],<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2008/07/28/stories/2008072850270100.htm The path of the guru]{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [[The Hindu]], 28 July 2008</ref> The Open Frame Reader – on the Indian documentary was published by Rupa. Recently published is a new revised and expanded edition of The Mind of The Guru by [[Hay House]] and due early next year, is a book on creativity: ''The Spirit of The Muse'', 2009 also saw the publication of "In My Own Words" by the Dalai Lama edited by Rajiv Mehrotra and "Conversations with The Dalai Lama on Life, Living & Happiness" both by Hay House, USA. He is working on a spiritual biography of His Holiness The [[Dalai Lama]]

From 2000, he has been managing trustee, executive producer and commissioning editor of [[The Public Service Broadcasting Trust]] (PSBT)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060527033120/http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040410940200.htm Managing trustee, Rajiv Mehrotra] [[The Hindu]], 4 April 2006.</ref> that has produced more than 600 independent documentary films, largely by mentoring young starting out film makers, winning some 2800 awards from 1500 international film festival screenings. His films have won numerous international and more than 49 national awards from the [[president of India]]. He has directed films such as a ten-part series for television on [[Sri Ramakrishna]] (The Great Swan), [[Angkor Vat]] (Axis Mundi), the places of [[Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]] (The Footsteps of the Buddha), the 'Krishnamurthi Schools' (Awakening of Intelligence), The [[Tabo Kye]] monastery (Sacral Legacy), on the Dalai Lama for [[PBS]] in the US (Ocean of Wisdom) etc. Three of his documentary films have been archived by the Motion Picture Academy of America, well known for presenting the Oscars.

Mehrotra has twice addressed plenary sessions at 'The [[World Economic Forum]]' at [[Davos]] and was nominated a 'Global Leader for Tomorrow' by them. He has served as a judge for The [[Templeton Prize|Templeton Prize for Religion]], on the governing council of the [[Sri Aurobindo Ashram|Sri Aurobindo Society]], The [[Film and Television Institute of India]] (FTII)<ref>[http://www.gmpublications.com/product_info.php?products_id=24235 About the Author]</ref> and as the chairman of the jury of the 50th anniversary [[Indian National Film Awards]] for Non-feature films.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2017/stories/20030829001908700.htm 50th National Film Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916110616/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2017/stories/20030829001908700.htm |date=16 September 2007 }} [[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]], [[The Hindu]] Group, Volume 20 – Issue 17, 16–29 August 2003.</ref>

He started his career in broadcasting on [[All India Radio]] on its youth programme at age 12, on television as the anchor of 'Youth Forum' at age 17 in 1970 and as a television journalist with India's national broadcaster, [[Doordarshan]] in 1980s, where he also worked as a news anchor. Soon he switched to making television short films and documentaries, and started his in-depth talk show, ''In Conversation'', which got him acclaim. According to TAM (Television Audience Meter) data it has had the highest viewership across all television news channels in India in its genre. The Programme also had the highest viewership across news channels when it was on air on the Doordarshan News Channel on Saturdays at 9.30 pm.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} It featured people ranging from several heads of state from George Bush and Václav Havel to numerous Nobel Laureates, Baba Amte, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and The Dalai Lama, BKS Iyengar to Richard Gere, Zubin Mehta and Mahashweta Devi. It had been through several incarnations over more than twenty years. The programme is currently taking a break.

Rajiv Mehrotra has extensive and pioneering experience in virtually all aspects of television and radio production, as director, [[cinematographer]] and editor. He has anchored a range of live and recorded programme genres in English from his early teens. He reported "live" as a news-anchor and served as a reporter for public television during the 1980s on assignments in India and abroad, in particular with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Rajiv Mehrotra has been on the steering committees of the Planning Commission of the Government of India to recommend policy & strategies for Information & Broadcasting, Information Technology etc., The committee on Bridging The Digital Divide, The Organising Committee of the [[Mumbai International Film Festival]] and is a nominated member of the Core Group of the Press Council of India etc. He served on the high powered committees set up by the Government of India on TRP's (Television Rating Points) and to advise the Government on restructuring the National Film Awards.

==Personal life==
Mehrotra lives in [[Delhi]] with his wife, Dr. [[Meenakshi Gopinath]], who recently retired as the principal of the Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. She serves on the boards of several not for profits and as director of Women in Security, Conflict Management & Peace, WISCOMP (www.wiscomp.org)

==Bibliography==
* ''The Mind of the Guru: Conversations with Spiritual Masters'', 2004, Penguin. {{ISBN|0-14-303144-9}}.
* ''The Essential Dalai Lama: His Important Teachings'', Penguin Books India. 2005. {{ISBN|0-670-05825-4}}.
* ''Understanding the Dalai Lama''. Viking. 2006. {{ISBN|0-670-05810-6}}.
* ''The Open Frame Reader: Unreeling the Documentary Film'', ed. by Rajiv Mehrotra, Rupa & Co.; with the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, 2006. {{ISBN|81-291-0920-4}}.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006060400170300.htm&date=2006/06/04/&prd=lr& Bookwatch] [[The Hindu]], 6 April 2006.</ref>
* ''Authorised Biography of Tenzin Gyatso: The 14th Dalai Lama'', Penguin Books Canada, Ltd, 2006. {{ISBN|0-670-04521-7}}.
* ''Thakur: A Life Of Sri Ramakrishna'', Pbk. Penguin Books India. 2008. {{ISBN|0-14-306371-5}}.
* ''In My Own Words by His Holiness the Dalai Lama'', ed. by Rajiv Mehrotra. Hay House UK. 2008. {{ISBN|1-84850-043-2}}.
* ''Swami Ranganathananda Reader''. Rupa & Co., N. Delhi. 2008. {{ISBN|81-291-1448-8}}.
* ''Conversations with The Dalai Lama on Life, Living & Happiness'', Hay House, 2009. {{ISBN|1-4019-2018-7}}.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.psbt.org/ ''PSBT'' Official website]
* [http://www.furhhdl.org/ ''Foundation for Universal Responsibility of HH The Dalai Lama'' Official Website]
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