Om Khushu was born in India in 1937. He studied science and electronics before joining All India Radio as an Assistant Engineer in 1960. By 1976 he became the Director of Engineering where he began his specialisation in satellite communications and frequency management. It was here that he became involved with conception, design and implementation of India's domestic satellite network known as INSAT. During this time he also began to represent the interests of Indian broadcasting at international forums including the ITU. In 1980 he was elected vice-chairman of an ITU study group with responsibility for producing technical standards in the field of broadcasting and he continued in this position until 1990. Between 1980 and 1990 he held several senior positions within Indian broadcasting including, Director of Engineering and Chief Engineer at All India Radio and Chief Engineer and Engineer in Chief at Doordarshan, the Indian television network. From 1990 until his recent retirement Om was Director of the Technical Department of the Asia- Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), an association of broadcasting networks across the region with approximately 100 members in about 50 countries..

Commenting on Om's contribution to broadcasting John Tucker says, "Om has a profound technical knowledge of broadcasting, great integrity and personal warmth. This is why he has been so successful. We need more like him in the industry. He is an example to us all."

The International Broadcasting Convention the world's premier broadcast technology event, covers all the key areas of the electronic media business including audio, cable, film, grip, internet, lighting, multimedia, production, post production, radio, satellite and transmission . Every year the IBC John Tucker Award is given in recognition of an internationally significant contribution by an individual or group of persons to any aspect of broadcasting, research, design, development, manufacture, operational practice or management. The Award was instituted in 1984 to mark the 10th International Broadcasting Convention and was renamed The IBC John Tucker Award in 1992 in recognition of the past Chairman's services.