Darjeeling, 10th February: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, in a press release, raised the demand for expediting the establishment of Doordarshan Gorkha Channel under Rule 377 of the Parliament.
While every major language recognized under the VIIIth Schedule has a dedicated Doordarshan Channel broadcasting programmes in their respective languages, the Nepali language has continued to be relegated to the sidelines.
“I informed the house that till date we don’t have a dedicated TV Channel broadcasting content in Nepali Bhasa and that in the absence of a National Platform, the Gorkha culture, diversity, society, and language have suffered an immense cultural loss,” he stated.
He further stated that in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Siliguri, Terai, Dooars region the infrastructure, artists, and audience are already in place and due to lack of a dedicated National Platform for the Nepali language, the Gorkha culture, diversity, society, and language have suffered an immense cultural loss and said all that is needed is for Prasar Bharati to initiate the efforts towards the DD Gorkha channel.
He, therefore, requested the Government to expedite the establishment of the DD Channel broadcasting in the Nepali language.
“I am most hopeful that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, along with Prasar Bharati will expedite the process of establishing DD Gorkha channel,” he added.