Anurag Thakur and Raju Bista.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Kalimpong, in West Bengal, is going to get a digital FM transmitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone, remotely. The stone-laying, as of now, has been planned for January 19, Raju Bista, BJP MP from Darjeeling said.
Bista, in a note, said that he has been working diligently for upgradation of the All India Radio (AIR) infrastructure in the region for the past many years, and had requested Union Information and Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur to “make use of the Prasar Bharati assets in Kalimpong and upgrade it to FM Broadcasting station”.
The digital FM transmitter, in Kalimpong, will incur a cost of Rs 3.36 crore, and comes under Centre’s Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. “With its establishment, the citizens of Kalimpong town and its adjoining areas will be able to enjoy crystal clear sound of FM programmes,” Bista’s press note mentioned, adding that the station will play an important role in nurturing and promoting local talent, folk artists, and will generate employment opportunities in the region.
Bista stated that the AIR infrastructure in the region has been technologically upgraded in the recent past. “AIR Kurseong has been upgraded as the ‘National Hub for Nepali news bulletin and programmes in India’ since December 2022. The Nepali news bulletin and programmes produced at Akashvani Kurseong are now being heard all across India. Around twenty five to thirty talented young men and women have been engaged in the News unit. Now, anyone in the world can listen to the Nepali programmes of Akashvani Kurseong through live streaming and NEWS ON AIR app by mobile,” the note added.
In Darjeeling, a 10KW FM transmitter is also relaying the Nepali programmes of Akashvani Kurseong in toto, and, consequently, the FM signal is better in Darjeeling district. Bista added that his “greater vision” is the development of a DD Gorkha channel.