GUWAHATI: Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, today announced that three new satellite channels would be launched in the North East to promote local languages and cultures, through locally produced programmes.
Addressing the media here, Rathore said that there was a visible focus on the North East and the Centre would continue to do so with the Act East Policy and make it mandatory for the all the Union Ministers and higher officials to visit the region more frequently.
“Three channels – Arunprabha, Asmi and Mamina – would be launched soon to promote local languages and cultures. The regional centre of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) operating from a temporary campus would also get a permanent building in Aizawl,” he said.
Jointly addressing the media with the Union Minister of State (Independent) for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal, he said that the region would also get a film and television institute. The Government would also promote community radio and provide necessary financial and technical support to such ventures.
He, however, did not divulge the expected timeframe and other details of any of the projects.
“We have the zeal to start all the projects, and other details would be announced soon,” he said. Rathore further said that steps are being taken to make the Government more interactive, and that every ministry would soon have social media presence and dedicated websites with regular updates.
Sonowal also added that the Union Government’s policies of ‘Skill India, digital India’ and ‘Make in India’ would generate employment as well as make the country self-sufficient.
“A Sports University is coming up in Manipur and the State Government there would soon provide us with 200 acres of land for the purpose. To reach to the remotest pockets of the region, we would launch a sports talent-search scheme to provide exposure and training support to the talented youth of remotest areas,” he added. (Agencies)