KARGIL, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021: Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur today inaugurated high power 10 KW FM Transmitter and 10 KW TV Transmitter at Hambutingla in Batalik sector of Kargil. The transmission station which is situated at an altitude of 13300 feet is the highest station in the country installed in a short period of only 15 days. 

Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, Member of Parliament Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Executive Councilors Syed Abass Razvi and Mohsin Ali, Director General of Doordarshan and All India Radio Mayank Kumar Agrawal and N Venudhar Reddy, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve were also present on the occasion. 

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Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Thakur informed that the transmission station will cover an area of 60 kilometers and a population of more than 50 thousand. He maintained that the transmission station is an initiative of the Government of India to connect remote areas of the country with different means of communication.

The Union Minister informed that thirty thousand units of DD Free Dishes with 130 channels would be distributed free of cost to public in border villages.He said that the unique cultures of Kargil and Leh in Ladakh will be introduced to the world through the increased air time on All India Radio and Doordarshan in Ladakh. 

Anurag Thakur said the newly installed radio station at the border will counter the propaganda being spread from other side of the border and will also serve the local population to promote their culture, language and communication. He said that the coming up of the transmitters will strengthen terrestrial coverage in border areas and will also allow the viewers/listeners to be adequately informed about the country’s policies, news and current affairs and also entertained by variety of programmes.

The Minister said that the Himalayan Film Festival at Leh was inaugurated to encourage the film industry to project Ladakh as a destination of the industry.

Thakur also mentioned that the 1st Himalayan Film Festival at Leh will screen 10 films being produced on hilly areas.  

The Union Minister also mentioned and recalled the supreme sacrifices of the Army Jawans in 1999 Kargil war who fought bravely to protect the country from intruders. 

The CEC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan while speaking on the occasion demanded that there should be a separate Doordarshan station for Ladakh. He also said that timing for Ladakh programs should be extended in order to cover the people of the region.

MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal while hailing the contribution of the AIR and DD said that the station will benefit not only local population but also the tourists visiting here as well.

On the occasion, Director General Doordarshan, Mayank Kumar Agrawal informed that the station will benefit the locals in covering different aspects of development and culture.

Director General All India Radio, N Venudhar Reddy said that Vivid Bharati and local programs will be transmitted from this station in the interest of local population.

Later, Anurag Thakur visited Government Degree College Kargil where he addressed students and also participated in the sustained cleanliness drive as a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan under Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav at the college campus.

In his address, the Minister urged the students and teaching staff to keep their homes, environment and Kargil city clean and green. 

The Minister also visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre at Kurbathang where he interacted with the students and took stock of various facilities being provided to the athletes at the training centre. 

He also visited the District Hospital Kargil and inspected the COVID-19 vaccination centre, National Digital Health Mission centre and Ayushman PMJAY golden card generating counter.

The CMO Kargil briefed the Minister about various facilities being provided at the hospital and functioning of various schemes and facilities.

The Minister instructed the concerned officers to ensure proper awareness to the public regarding various facilities and schemes available in the hospital.