The moot question is why Doordarshan Jammu Kendra is functioning virtually for the name sake only? How is it catering to and projecting, linguistic, cultural, historic and political aspirations of the local population? Why is it not upgraded, revamped and attuned to the changed circumstances, at least post August 9, 2019 developments when Jammu and Kashmir was made a Union Territory? Despite adequate infrastructure, sprawling premises and spacious ambiance Doordarshan Jammu except beaming three hours routine programme schedule, mostly repetitive , in the evening- its contribution towards regional aspirations is far from satisfactory. The policies and the mindset, therefore, must undergo necessary changes in respect of running Jammu Doordarshan Kendera effectively. Dogri language spoken over and across the vast areas of Jammu region being the core mother tongue of the people finds little priorities in and preferences by the authorities of the channel which is under direct control of Prasar Bharti and in turn under Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting . Jammu and Kashmir is strategically sensitive part of the country. Most of the Jammu region being border area facing Pakistan is vulnerable to malicious and provocative propaganda from across the border through their TV satellite channels and radio stations having high frequency and vast area coverage including areas from this side. To counter that spewing of venom and falsehood the expected role played by Doordarshan Jammu is just nothing except a zilch. Even live and prerecorded penal debates and discussions on current political, economic , social and other topics are stopped totally for the last two years thus depriving the local talent in this fields getting not utilised and projected through ”our own ” DD Channel. The varied rich traditions, customs , culture and speciality in art of Dogras are sparingly aired thus in comparison to DD Koshur (Kashmiri) channel, DD Jammu stands nowhere in articulating the local rich colour of various hues including available talent in art and Dogri folk music, traditional dance and the like. It is not any demand for compensation and recognition of the valiant part played by Dogras from time to time towards having been in the frontline of contributing towards protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and for having been continuously suffering due to hostilities and even facing direct shelling from across the border but asking for a fair coverage on the front of promoting mother language, cultural heritage , traditions and art pertaining to Dogras. People particularly living in hilly , distant and border areas of Jammu region face utter neglect in so far as the benefits of modern medium of communication are concerned. They earnestly need to be provided with such a medium that distracts and prevents them from tuning in the neighbouring hostile mediums though basically for entertainment like dramas, etc have side by side also to listen to all venom and canards against their country, its leadership and even against its religo-cultural moorings. It has , therefore, become quite necessary for authorities of Prasar Bharti and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to accord sanction for an exclusive satellite channel for Jammu and thereby infuse a new life in local Doordarshan channel. Dogri, Gojri and Pahari languages spoken over and across Jammu region must get due projection thereby keeping such heritage live and in sustaining mode. Exclusive channel for the local people will, therefore, result in exaltation of the status of rich Dogri language which otherwise is recognised in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of the country and thus fulfil the long outstanding demand of the people of Jammu region. We, therefore, are eagerly expecting the overdue up -gradation and revamping of the Doordarshan, Jammu Channel.
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