O P Sharma
The Regional News Unit (RNU) in Dogri of All India Radio (AIR) , Jammu , has completed over five decades of public service of newscasts and is celebrating its 54th Foundation Day on December 6 this year. After rendering more than half- century service of news-casting in Dogri and later on Gojri as well for the accurate news and analysis to mould informed public in the largest democracy of India.
The Dogri News-section was set up in Radio Station, Jammu, on December 6, 1971 during the troubled time of Indo-Pak conflict. This RNU has gained immense popularity among the people, not only in the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir but even across the borders in PoJK and even in Pakistan too. It is one of 47 RNUs -networks in various regional languages all over this largest democracy across the country. It may be mentioned that presently three regional and two national news bulletins in Dogri as also two Gojri – newscasts are put out at optimal timings in the morning, afternoon and evening every day with maximum listenership.
A well-attended function is being organised on the Foundation Day, present Asstt Direcctor, RNU, Gulshan Raina informed that selected deserving newscasters and others allied at various levels are being provided certificates of merit for their distinguished contribution. Mr Raina highlighted the proud record of modernization and success story of transmitting the regional news in Dogri/ Gojri from News Room of Jammu and Kashmir’s first Radio Station at Jammu and recalled ‘ a “Public Broadcaster’s service” as well as contribution in the public awakening and deepening roots of democracy and ensure their participation in the development process. It was pointed out that numerous modern techniques and technology with deployment of trained and expert staff is having positive output. There are many innovative initiatives taken for upgrading broadcasting of news and views.
To start with on December 6, 1971; two news-bulletins in Dogri language, were aired to inform and educate the general masses about the true factual developmental works, democratic process, infuse public confidence and also counter poisonous propaganda from across our borders. While, the first Dogri news-cast in Dogri went on air in December . 1971 but another local language, Gojri bulletin also was introduced during 1980s which is now alongwith Dogri news-bulletins is steadily growing in popularity among largest segments of our population with the passing time.
Galaxy of Pioneers
An eminent writer, Thakur Poonchi was the founding editor of Dogri News Unit, who single-handedly worked by putting in his best and was followed and headed, among others, by noted figures like: DR Kiran ‘Kashmiri’. Ajit Singh, Ashok Handoo, Mohammad. Yussuf Ganai, M.K Wangoo, Balwant Singh, Vijay Saqi, Sanjit Khajuria, Neha Jalali, R. K Raina and present incumbent is Gulshan Raina.
The noted Newscasters with RNU included: Lajya Manhas, Narendra Bhasin, Joginderpal ‘Chhatarpal’, Dr. Veena Gupta, Vijay Sharma, Chanchal & Narendra Bhasin, Bhanu Ptatap, Sudershan Prassar, Raman Kesar, Vijay Verma, Kuldeep Singh Jandrahiya, Nirmal Vinod, Jagmohan Sharma, Vijay Bajaj, Shruti Khajuria, and many others. Over the years, these bulletins have created wide-spread awareness among the general public. The basic objective of these news-casts has been to put out all objective local news and analysis.
This AIR Station, Jammu and its Regional News Unit has played a vital role in the dissemination of news, analysis through commentaries and different captivating programmes which play pivotal role in public information and also act in promotion of Dogri and sister languages as well as projecting our distinct cultural heritage wining public trust.
Previously, work in the Dogri news section was manual with very limited staff and limited infrastructure but gradually it has made rapid strides with facilities like: use of computers, internet, voice-castings, on-the-spot reporting and crucial role in the past during Panchayat , Local Bodies election or recent Parliamentary as also J&K UTs elections for maximum public debates as also ensuring higher voting percentage, which is gist of the democracy.
( starline.syndicate,service@gmail.com )
Follow our WhatsApp channel
