Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates 20 KW Akashvani FM Transmitter at Jaisalmer's Ramgarh
New Delhi, June 11
Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Thursday virtually inaugurated a 20 KW Akashvani FM Transmitter at Ramgarh in Jaisalmer from the Akashvani Jaipur premises.
With this addition, the number of FM transmitters in Rajasthan has increased to 39. The Ramgarh transmitter will ensure radio coverage within an 80-kilometre radius in the border region, covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres of Jaisalmer district and enabling people to access a variety of information, educational and entertainment programmes, according to the release.
Addressing the gathering, Vaishnaw called for a transformation in the functioning and outlook of Prasar Bharati. He emphasised that in the era of rapid technological advancement, radio broadcasting must adopt a 'Digital First' and 'Hyper-Local' approach to remain relevant and impactful. He directed officials to prepare a roadmap for this transformation and stressed the importance of integrating local artists and artisans into the broadcasting ecosystem.
The Minister also referred to the upcoming AI Data Centre in Jaipur, describing it as a foundation for the future and a significant step towards technological advancement, the release stated.
Chairman of Prasar Bharati, Prasoon Joshi, addressed the gathering and highlighted the enduring importance of institutions such as Akashvani and Doordarshan. He said that these organisations are deeply connected to the roots of society and play a vital role in disseminating information and reflecting ground realities to a wider audience.
The transmitter is aimed at strengthening the reach of All India Radio and Doordarshan in border areas. It will serve not only Jaisalmer but also the surrounding regions, marking a major step in border communication infrastructure. The initiative aligns with the vision of dedicated broadcast infrastructure "from Kashmir to Kutch", ensuring systematic expansion of broadcasting services across the entire frontier.
During the event, Vaishnaw also interacted with young officers of Prasar Bharati. The ceremony, held at the Akashvani Jaipur premises, was attended by Rajasthan's Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar, Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, and Akashvani Director General Rajeev Kumar Jain. Jaisalmer MP Umedaram Beniwal also joined the programme virtually.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Digital First approach in radio? That's interesting. I'm curious how Prasar Bharati plans to modernize while keeping the human touch. In Canada, we've seen public broadcasters struggle with this balance. Hope India learns from our mistakes.
Finally some attention to border infrastructure! From our village near Ramgarh, we often lose signal during bad weather. This 80 km range will help farmers get accurate weather updates and government schemes info. Also good for entertainment - Akashvani has great folk music programs!
Hyper-local content is the way forward - it's what made community radio successful in Australia. But I worry about the AI Data Centre mention. AI in broadcasting needs careful regulation to avoid misinformation. Good to see digital infrastructure progress though.
Kashmir to Kutch vision sounds ambitious. I've been to Kutch and border areas - radio is often the only reliable medium. But hope they also focus on content quality, not just infrastructure. Our local artists need more platforms, not just transmitters.
Good to see investment in public broadcasting. From my experience in development work in rural India, FM radio is still the most accessible medium for women and elderly. The hyper-local content idea could really empower marginalized communities along the border.
V Vikram M < We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.