O P Sharma
The long-pending due demand of an exclusive satellite channel in regional Dogri and local languages must now be met during the post-370 Article when this part of the country has become a Union Territory. While it is now urgently needed to preserve, promote and further project the vibrant and distinct composite cultural heritage, actively involve the people in the peace process for faster all round development and above all to effectively meet the challenges of “fake news factory” and countering poisonous anti-India propaganda from across the border. Dogras have a proud past with distinction of having consolidated and secured the nation’s boundaries in Sub-Himalayan region against any hostile activity. Their varied rich cultural heritage and deep -rooted democratic spirit and development aspirations of the people living in the hilly and border areas of Jammu and Kashmir by deploying the modern means of vital medium of communication through a Satellite Channel for stirring them up for forward movement in the new environ now emerging in the country. This is a must-do task before the now.
Genuine Demand
There is already Kashir Channel doing well its job in Kashmiri and Urdu language in the Valley but there is dire need for providing an exclusive satellite Channel for very high population spread over vast areas in Jammu region and beyond in PoJ&K. The Dogri language, already in the 8th Schedule of our Indian Constitution, is spoken widely along with Gojri, Pahari and other languages both within and across the Indo-Pak order. It is a challenging task and rightly a litmus test before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Government in the Jammu and Kashmir in the present context. It is needless to recall that the people of Jammu region have solidly stood and supported the party in power and it is fervently expected that this particular demand for DD Jammu at Jammu will be conceded sooner than later.
The rich composite cultural heritage and providing massive developmental thrust in this part of the country can be best served only by an exclusive channel for the people who have suffered injustice and miseries for over seven decades mainly due to unprovoked heavy firings and assault of poisonous anti-India propaganda from across the border. The Satellite Channel will be a befitting tool to answer the false propaganda emanating from the enemy camps, both within and outside.
This urgent demand has stoutly been campaigned by the general public as well as different social, cultural, literary and other organizations in entire Jammu region and other area for a long period. Doordarshan approved Drama Artists Association (DADAA) and every other social-cultural organization and numerous prominent citizens in Jammu province have raised their voice for it for years. The Door Darshan Kendra, Jammu can be upgraded suitably to meet the challenging task of standing up to anti-India propaganda. This issue has now caught the imagination of the people especially during in the changed situation in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Dogras too have been advocating the necessity of satellite Channel to remain in touch with latest developments and also safeguard their cultural heritage, ensure their social-economic advancement, harmony and further enrichment of vibrant democratic values. For this, their demand for potent telecast medium is really genuine needing immediate consideration and action.
Well Argued Case
The people in this part of the country have always been deprived of their legitimate rights and suffered much hardships and sufferings. A satellite Channel at Jammu is must and fulfilled now as tomorrow will be too late. The Central Government and the Governor’s Administration must move fast in this pivotal matter and start on priority basis the Satellite Digital Channel by upgrading the present D D Kendra, Jammu and turn the tide against malicious propaganda and fake news unleashed at this crucial moment of our history.
The literary, social and cultural activities of Jammu region are not given due coverage and exposure in terms of time slot, space or attention by the existing D D Network. The DD Kendra, Jammu, headless for a long time, with minimal telecast duration having meager fund allocation. It is noteworthy that DD, station, Jammu has the basic infrastructure as well as abundance of local skill and talent which can be fully explored and exploited for optimal results. This station must be upgraded and made operational as satellite channel in Jammu and Kashmir. The think tank in I&B Ministry, the Prasar Bharti as also at Mandi House authorities must join hands to start the Jammu satellite channel for yielding more tangible results. Significantly a new dynamic station director Dr. Nasib Singh Manhas has been posted to this centre and more tangible results are expected.
It is a significant feature that at the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s instance a very large number of central ministers paid visits to Jammu and Kashmir to give a boost to development activities for ameliorating lot of the people. Some things did happen but the Nelson’s Eye didn’t turn toward this most neglected means of communication. Needless to add that fundamentally the communication is very crucial for change of public opinion especially in a democratic society. So the case for an effective and efficient satellite Channel at Jammu is undoubtedly a genuine demand.
Rich Dividends
It is worthwhile to mention that in addition to Dogri other sister languages like Gojri, Mirpuri, Punjabi, Pahari, Poonchi, Bhaderwahi will be given full opportunities. It further adds weight to the demand that in order to counter malicious Pak propaganda, this channel would serve the cause in far more effectively covering nearly 32,200 sq. kms in Jammu as well as some parts of PoK for TV telecasts.
Admittedly, the Dogras do have valid and fundamental right to have a Duggar Channel as it has rich local languages, proud cultural heritage of Pahadi Music, Art work like Basohli and Ram Nagar paintings style, melodious music, colorful Gojri Traditions and culture which need to be properly preserved, protected and promoted through the satellite channel to be set-up in Jammu.
High Expectations
A cross-section of people has also strongly supported this demand.
A youth Dalbir Singh Jamwal, a P-G student of Jammu University, lamented that Dogri language and Duggar’s culture are discriminated and their voice throttled. Let them have justice at least during the changed present regime and situation. Ms Manpreet Kaur, of Border Village Arnia expects a new local DD channel as a matter of right. Feroz Ahmad, an artist spoke about the need for exclusive channel for utilizing the vast latent artistic talent and professionals in this part of the country. Rohit Shandral, a youth from Rajouri-Poonch asserted that when our slogan is “Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai” this genuine demand for satellite TV channel in Jammu has already been delayed and now it must be met without further loss of time. Prominent writers, poets, drama artists, TV film producers, social activists, politicians, ex-servicemen, doctors, lawyers and other professionals too have pleaded for a satellite channel at Jammu.
Prompt Action Needed
The main demand of people of Jammu which has to be one of the major issue in the forth-coming elections, after delimitation, must be on this point of providing satellite channel in Jammu. The people will have to sincerely see to it that this demand is included in the manifesto of every political party particularly the BJP which holds power at the centre. All the people from Jammu province, irrespective of religious faiths, political ideology, social considerations have come forth in one voice for this noble cause. It is high time to awaken, arise and not to rest till the demand for Satellite is fully met.
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