Silchar Doordarshan Kendra

Silchar, June 18: Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha has called for the revival of the Silchar Doordarshan Kendra, a significant public broadcasting center in southern Assam, emphasizing the need to restore its infrastructure, regional programming, and unique local identity.

During a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology held in New Delhi on Wednesday, Purkayastha presented a series of proposals aimed at enhancing Prasar Bharati's infrastructure and services in the Northeast, particularly focusing on the Silchar Doordarshan Kendra.

He also engaged in discussions with Rajeev Kumar Jain, the Director General of Prasar Bharati.

“The Director General assured me that the challenges faced by the Silchar Doordarshan Kendra, along with broader initiatives to enhance public broadcasting in the Northeast, will be prioritized,” Purkayastha stated on Thursday.

He expressed his worries that the center, which once played a crucial role in showcasing the culture, issues, and aspirations of the Barak Valley, has gradually deviated from its original mission over time.

“The Silchar Doordarshan Kendra was more than just a broadcasting facility; it represented the voice of the Barak Valley and southern Assam. A center established to reflect the life, language, and culture of this area should not be diminished to a mere passive unit. It is essential for Silchar Doordarshan to regain its production capabilities, regional programming, and local identity,” he remarked.

Founded in Tarapur, Silchar, in 1990, the Doordarshan Kendra has been instrumental in promoting the languages, culture, and local news of the Barak Valley.

For many years, it produced and aired programs in Bengali, Manipuri, tea tribe languages, and other regional formats, catering to nearly 5 million people in the area.

Currently, programs from the Silchar center are transmitted through the Guwahati Kendra.

Purkayastha also advocated for the reinstatement of the Bengali news bulletin from Silchar, an initiative closely tied to the legacy of his late father, former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha.

“The Bengali news bulletin from Silchar was cherished by the community. Its revival is not just a technical request; it resonates with the emotional and cultural aspirations of the Barak Valley,” he emphasized.

Additionally, Purkayastha suggested modernizing the infrastructure of Doordarshan and Akashvani in remote and border regions.