Ladakh will be made hub of tourism: Anurag
*Modi fulfilled years old demand of UT status
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated 91 FM transmitters in various States and Union Territories including Ladakh.
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The ceremony was also joined in Leh by Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Services & Sports Anurag Thakur, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra, Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgayal and CEC LAHDC Leh Tashi Gyalson.
This would revolutionize the Radio industry, Modi said in his address after virtually inaugurating the FM transmitters covering two crore people across 85 districts.
Asserting that the Government initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and Har Ghar Tiranga became people’s movements through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi said: “Therefore, in a way, I’m part of your All India Radio team”.
The Prime Minister said the inauguration of 91 FM transmitters was in line with the Government policy to give preference to the underprivileged who have been deprived of this facility so far. “Those who were considered to be distant will now get a chance to connect at a greater level,” Modi said.
Anurag Thakur said in Leh: “Today another record has been established. Nyoma has the world’s highest transmitter at an altitude of 4100. Its benefit is going to be available for many kilometres”.
He added that people also get the facility of FM, listen to programmes and get news.
“The people will also get an opportunity to take forward their culture,” Thakur said.
“This is a historic move. This will be very helpful in transmitting entertainment, sports, and farming information to the local people. Mann ki Baat increased the popularity of radio,” Thakur said.
Explaining the details of the launch, Thakur said that with the launch of the 91 FM Transmitters, another record has been established with the world’s highest transmitter installed at an altitude of 4100 in Ladakh’s Nyoma.
He said the Government is working towards making Ladakh as a hub of tourism.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled years long pending demand of the people of Ladakh by giving UT status to Ladakh. It has also been given the Central University and transmission line worth Rs 19,700 crore,” Anurag said.
The Union Minister said the transmitters will act as a conduit to carry information about the programmes and policies of the Government as well as entertainment related content to the corners of the country.
He credited the Prime Minister for his push for expansion of radio connectivity in India and acknowledged the contribution of his Mann Ki Baat programme in endorsing the importance of Radio, which has been aptly captured in a survey by IIM Rohtak recently.
Thakur underlined that today Akashwani has the largest FM network in India and this network will carry the growth story of New India to every corner of the country.
Noting that rise of the internet, Modi said radio has come to the fore in innovative ways through podcasts and online FM. “Digital India has not only given new listeners to the radio but a new thought process as well,” he added.
He asserted that same revolution can be witnessed in every broadcast medium.
“The services of DD free dish, the largest DTH platform in the country, are being provided to 4.30 crore homes and real-time information about the world is reaching the doorsteps of rural households and border areas,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the vision and mission of all communication channels like the All India Radio is to connect the country and its 140 crore citizens.
The launch event was attended by Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, public representatives, Padma awardees and officials from across 18 States and two Union Territories.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur joined the function from Ladakh.
The 91 new 100 W FM transmitters have been installed in 84 districts with a special focus on enhancing coverage in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
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