Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh formally launched the new portal of community radio network during the inaugural session of one-day seminar organized by “Federation of Community Radio Stations”.
In his address, Dr Jitendra Singh said, notwithstanding the overpowering presence of television coupled with rapid mushrooming of TV channels across the country, radio still has its reach to remote and peripheral areas where television is not available, either for lack of electricity or for lack of signal. As many as nearly 15,000 Panchayats in the country today are deprived of optical fibre facility, he added.
While complimenting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Dr Jitendra Singh said the regular monthly broadcast “Mann ki Baat” has not only contributed to an upsurge in radio listenership but has also compelled the television channels to broadcast “Mann ki Baat” live.
Member of Parliament, Smt. Santosh Ahlawat, Professor Brij Kishore Kuthiala from Mass Communication and Shri Kamal Patel, former Madhya Pradesh Minister also spoke on the occasion.
The programme was compered by Shri Ramesh Hangloo who owes the credit for having launched the first-ever community radio station of Jammu and Kashmir State from Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Hangloo spoke about the need to have more of community involvement in spreading the education among the needy and creating awareness about the Union Government’s pro-poor schemes through community radio network.