New Delhi, November 23 2009: Manipur Government has urged the Centre for setting up a 24-hour satellite channel of Doordarshan exclusively for Manipur.

In a letter submitted to the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni today, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi demanded the proposed 24-hour Doordarshan satellite channel came into reality at the shortest possible time in the larger interest of the people of the region.

Manipur Chief Minister said, "Manipur is a mini-India having 33 recognized scheduled tribes, besides the major community of Meitei.

Each tribe has its own language and distinct beautiful culture.

Manipur has rich cultural heritage and different forms of performing arts.

Manipuri dance is recognized as one of the classical dances of India.

Manipuri language is one of the regional languages of India included in the eighth Scheduled of the Indian Constitution".

He further stated, "Manipur, being a border State as well as a State having different ethnic groups, has great concern in the integrity and unity of the State besides its integration to the Nation.

In this situation, there is a great importance of the Government owned television Doordarshan for telecasting 24-hour programme exclusively made for Manipur.

Television being the most powerful medium because of its audio-visual nature, which can easily inform and educate both literate and illiterate people, is a very suitable medium of mass communication for the State of Manipur".

He also pointed out that the Doordarshan launched DD-13 satellite channel 'Doordarshan (North East)' for the whole North East States.

Mostly the programme contents of the Channel are of Assam.

Few Manipuri programmes are seen during odd hours.

As such, the DD (NE) could not properly project the State of Manipur which was one of the leading States in the country in the fields of culture and sports.

He further pointed out that Doordarshan Imphal was currently telecasting local programmes from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays terrestrially.

These programmes could not be viewed by the people in the hill areas of Manipur.

He emphasized the need of television medium in Manipur for taking up various campaigns and free flow of information to the people towards bringing peace and prosperity in the State.

For production of the programmes, Manipur Chief Minister mentioned, "The State Government shall extend all possible help for effective running of the 24-hour satellite channel.

The State Directorate of Information and Public Relations has its video section with Betacam equipment and manpower.

The State Government can share 6-8 hours programmes daily for the proposed 24-hour satellite channel.

In this channel, the State Government would like to telecast the beauties of each and every tribes of the State daily, besides highlighting developmental activities of the State Government".

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