O P Sharma
We are in the midst of Parliamentary election and the people are determined to vote for the party or candiates who pledge and have Agenda for meeting long-pending pressing public demand for a full-fledged Jammu satellite channel in regional Dogri and sister languages . It is a must to do job now, especially during the post-370 Article era for development, harmony and demoracy to take deep roots and also allow promotion of Gojri language, culture, arts and proud heritage which are symbols of our identity and dignity. The people have been projecting this genuine demand for years now.
The Lok Sabha election process is now in a crucial phase when the people do have a genuinue right to press their demand for a much-needed satellite channel by revamping the existing D D Kendra, Jammu for wider communication of message for democracy and development in the region.
The political parties going into the polls must include this demand in their manifestoes/ Agenda to gain their vote and mandate. The setting up of Stellite Television Station and further upgrading of All India Station must be a priority agenda of each and every political outfit to gain the public confidence in the entire Jammu region. All the candidates and political parties must take note of it.
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 ” threats from the border”, “fake news factory” and countering poisonous anti-India propaganda from within and 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.
Genuine Demand
There is already Kashir Channel doing its job in Kashmir valley but there is dire need of providing an exclusive satellite Channel for a large chunk of population spread over vast areas in Jammu region and beyond in PoJK. The Dogri language, already in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, is spoken widely along with Gojri, Pahari and other languages both within and across the Indo-Pak border. It is a challenging task and rightly a litmus test before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Government in 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 Satellite Channel in 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, assault of poisonous anti-India propaganda from across the border and internal turbulence. The Satellite Channel will be a befitting tool to answer 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 in the past. Doordarshan approved Drama Artists Association (DADAA) and every other socio-cultural organizations and numerous prominent citizens in Jammu province have raised their voice for it for years together. The Doordarshan Kendra, Jammu can be upgraded suitably to meet the challenging task of peace and rapid all-round developmental transformation with visible positive results and also standing up to anti-India propaganda. This issue has now caught the imagination of the people especially during 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 valauble cultural heritage, ensure their social-economic advancement, harmony and further enrichment of vibrant democratic values.
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 a must and fulfilled now as tomorrow may be too late ! The Central Government and the Lt. 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 putting hurdles in our smooth and swift forward movement.
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 with minimal telecast duration time alongwith meagre 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 to be operational as Satellite Channel in Jammu and Kashmir. The think tank in I&B Ministry, the Prasar Bharti as also at Mandi House must join hands to start the Jammu Satellite Channel for getting more tangible and intangible results. It is a significant feature that at the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s insistance a very large number of Central Ministers and broadcasting experts have paid visits to Jammu and Kashmir to give a boost to development activities for ameliorating the lot of the people. Some things did happen but the Nelson’s Eye turned toward this most neglected means of communication. Needless to add that fundamentally communication is very crucial for change of public opinion especially in a democratic society. So a strong 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 for growth and development. It further adds weight to the demand that in order to counter malicious Pak propaganda, this channel would serve the cause in far away places 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 Satellite Channel as it has rich languages, proud cultural heritage of Pahari Music, dances, literature, art works like Basohli and Ram Nagar paintings style, melodious music, colorful traditions among others which need to be properly projected and preserved 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. 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.
The people in this part of the country have been pressing hard for this demand and reportedly many organisations and professional bodies have projected this demand for years. Signature campaign and public demands have been passed on to the PM Modi, Union I&B Minister and all other political parties vigorously and it is expected they would come clear during their election manifesto to gain popular vote.
Concrete Action Needed
The main demand of people of Jammu region , which has to be one of the major issues in the forth-coming elections, must be on this top agenda in Jammu. The people will have to sincerely see to it that this demand is included in the manifestos of each and 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 wake up, arise and not to rest till the demand for Satellite Channel in Jammu is fully met for their identity and dignity.
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