PM Modi inaugurates FM Transmitters in Nongstoin, Williamnagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 91 new 100W FM Transmitters today via video conferencing. Community Radio Stations in Meghalaya’s Nongstoin and Williamnagar are among the 91 places wherein these transmitters have been inaugurated.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the day marks a significant step in the expansion of FM services by All India Radio in the direction of becoming All India FM. He underlined that the beginning of 91 FM transmitters by All India Radio is like a present for 85 districts and 2 crore people of the nation.

In a way, the Prime Minister said, it provides a glimpse of the diversity and colours of India. He informed that the districts covered under the new 91 FM transmitters are aspirational districts and blocks, and congratulated All India Radio for the momentous achievement.

He also congratulated the citizens of the Northeast who will greatly benefit from this.

The Prime Minister underscored the emotional connection of his generation with radio. “For me, there is an added happiness that I have a relationship with radio as a host too”, the Prime Minister said referring to the upcoming 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat.

He said “This kind of emotional connect with the countrymen was possible only through the radio. Through this, I remained linked to the strength of the country and the collective power of the duty among the countrymen.” He elaborated on this point by giving examples of the role of the programme in initiatives like Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Har Ghar Tiranga which became a people’s movement through Mann Ki Baat. “Therefore, in a way, I am part of your All India Radio Team”, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister underlined that the inauguration of 91 FM transmitters forwards the policies of the government that gives preference to the underprivileged who have been deprived of this facility so far. “Those who were considered to be distant will now get a chance to connect at a greater level”, the Prime Minister said.

Listing out the benefits of FM transmitters, the Prime Minister mentioned relaying important information on time, community building efforts, weather updates related to agricultural practices, information on food and vegetable prices for the farmers, discussions about the loss incurred by the use of chemicals in agriculture, pooling of advanced machinery for agriculture, informing women self-help groups about new market practices and assisting the entire community during times of a natural calamity. He also mentioned the infotainment value of the FM.

The Prime Minister said that the government is continuously working for the democratization of technology. “It is important that no Indian should feel scarcity of opportunity if India has to rise up to its full potential”, the Prime Minister said.

Making modern technology accessible and affordable is key to this. He explained this by mentioning optical fiber to all the villages and the cheapest data cost that has eased access to information. He said that this has given a new push to digital entrepreneurship in villages.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the tech revolution taking place in the country in the past few years has fabricated radio and especially FM in a new form. Noting the rise of the internet, the Prime Minister pointed out that radio has come to the fore in innovative ways through podcasts and online FM.

The Prime Minister touched upon the dimension of linguistic diversity and informed that FM transmission will take place in all the languages and especially in the regions with 27 dialects.

“This connectivity does not link just the tools of communications but it connects the people too. This is reflective of the work culture of this government”, said the Prime Minister highlighting the emphasis on social connectivity along with the promotion of physical connectivity.

“Our government is strengthening cultural connectivity and intellectual connectivity also”, the Prime Minister said.

Noting that tourism has got a boost after the rejuvenation of pilgrimages and religious places in different parts of the country, the Prime Minister said that the increasing number of people visiting tourist places is proof of increasing cultural connectivity in the country. He gave examples of museums related to tribal freedom fighters, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Panchteerth, PM Museum and the National War Memorial and said that such initiatives have given a new dimension to intellectual and emotional connectivity in the country.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister underlined the vision and mission of all communication channels like All India Radio and said that connectivity be it in any form, its purpose is to connect the country and its 140 crore citizens. He expressed confidence that all stakeholders will continue to move forward with this vision resulting in the strengthening of the country through continuous dialogue.

Nongstoin, Williamnagar to get new FM transmitters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 91 FM transmitters of 100 W today at 10:30 AM via video conferencing. The inauguration will give a further boost to radio connectivity in the country.

In Meghalaya, new FM transmitters will be inaugurated at Nongstoin and Williamnagar. FM Transmitter at Community Radio Station (CRS), Nongstoin would be operating on 100.1 MHz FM Band while the one at Williamnagar would be operating on 100.9 MHz FM Band. The 100W Transmitter is expected to be heard in around 400 Sq. km area delivering a bouquet of various programmes of entertainment and education to the listeners in the town and nearby villages.

An event to celebrate these occasions is being organised in the premises of CRS Nongstoin and Williamnagar. Shri Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya will be joining these events virtually. Prominent persons of Nongstoin and Williamnagar including senior Government officers & dignitaries are likely to be physically present at Nongstoin and Williamnagar sites during the inauguration.

The government has been committed to enhance FM connectivity in the country. The 91 new 100 W FM transmitters have been installed in 84 districts across 18 States and 2 Union Territories. A special focus of this expansion has been on enhancing coverage in Aspirational Districts and in border areas. The States and UTs which are covered include Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

With this expansion of AIR’s FM service, an additional 2 crore people across the country, who did-not have access to the medium, will now be covered. It will result in expansion of coverage in about 35,000 sq km area.

The Prime Minister has been a firm believer in the important role which radio plays in reaching out to the masses. To harness the unique strength of the medium to reach out to the widest possible audience, Prime Minister started Mann Ki Baat programme, which is now nearing its landmark 100th episode.

Guv’s nod awaited for setting up of Captain Williamson Sangma State University

Minister-in-charge of Education Rakkam A Sangma has informed that the government is waiting for the Governor to give his assent to the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by the State Assembly recently for setting up of a State University.

“We have just passed the Act in the Assembly and once the Governor gives his assent, we will work out the modalities on how to go ahead and to start the State University at the earliest possible,” Sangma told reporters here.

He said that having a state university after 50 years of statehood is a milestone for the government.

The Captain Williamson Sangma State University (Amendment) Act, 2023 proposes to amend the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University Act.

The objective of the Act is to have State Universities catering to both higher and technical education offering higher education in the fields of humanities, general sciences, engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, commerce, performing arts, professional courses, technology and related areas.

It will also provide scope for research, advancement and dissemination of knowledge therein.

The minister said the problem related to the CUET will be resolved to a great extent once all colleges are affiliated to the State University.

“Not only about the CUET issue, it is for better education facilities for our students. Due to certain limitations, we have to ask for an exemption and we cannot ask for an exemption again and again. Therefore, we have to find a way forward and a better solution for our students,” Sangma added.

Planning Board committed to state’s welfare: Metbah

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 4: Chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board Metbah Lyngdoh today said the board is committed to contributing to the welfare of the state.

After chairing the first meeting of the board, Lyngdoh said, “We are not here just because we are appointed as chairman or members of the board. We are here to contribute to the welfare of the state and we are very committed.”

“I am pleased to inform you that both the members who are co-chairmen of the board have said that we are not here not to just enjoy the perks and facilities of the government but we are here to contribute and we will ensure that we will do so in this year being the first year otherwise it will not have that joy for us to enjoy those perks and facilities from the government,” he added.

Lyngdoh however informed that the first meeting of the board was an introductory kind of meeting. He said the government is yet to issue necessary notification for the appointment of other members of the board.

As of now, the board has only three members including the chairman and two co-chairmen, who all are elected representatives.

He said like the previous board, other official members will include Chief Secretary, Commissioner & Secretary and others including experts from different fields.

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“The planning department in consultation with the chief minister and the board chairman will notify those expert members about 4-5 members to be members of this planning board,” he said.

The chairman of the planning board said, “Once we have a full-fledged board we will swing into action as far as the board is concerned to discuss the different line departments and to suggest the government accordingly.”

“We will start sometime again next week. We will have a review and we will meet the Chief Minister and discuss with them about the function of the board and how to make it more effective. We will suggest and discuss with him,” he added.