JAMMU: A deputation of Doordarshan Approved Drama Artists Association (DADAA), Jammu, called on Sat Sharma CA, President, Jammu and Kashmir BJP and submitted a memorandum containing their demands related to setting up of Satellite "Duggar Channel" in Jammu, in presence of former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, Nanaji Deshmukh Library Incharge Prof. Kulbhushan Mohtra, Parduman Singh, Vinay Gupta, and Narinder Gupta. They were led by J.S. Babli, President DADAA.
Through memorandum, they submitted that Dogri language has been included in 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India and Jammu being Dogra land needs projection and propagation of this language. While Kashmiri is spoken in Kashmir, Dogri is spoken in Jammu region. For the viewers of Kashmiri language, a Kashmiri Channel has been set up but unfortunately, the repeated requests by DADAA for a "DUGGAR CHANNEL" has not been acceded.
This Dogra Channel will cover the area of Jammu province of 32,200 sq. Kilometers and can counter the false propaganda of Pakistan against the state of Jammu & Kashmir, as the language is well understood and spoken in maximum areas. By providing "DUGGAR CHANNEL" at Jammu the culture heritage of people speaking this language will be promoted as it is also spoken in Himachal, some part of Punjab and Pakistan adjoining to Jammu and Punjab border.
The present DDK Jammu is only just a Kendra but the budget is not provided at par with other Kendra of the country. Moreover, the PGF Rajouri is also dependant on the DDK Jammu as no separate budget in grant is provided for that. The Kashmiri Migrant artists are also fed by DDK Jammu's grant. They requested that budget in grant for DDK Jammu should be allotted at par with Srinagar Kendra.
They further pointed out that their association had raised the demand in 1999 for a channel with 24 hours services and now reiterate that the present DDK Jammu be included on DTH so that it can reach the whole of India and beyond its boundaries. For "DUGGAR CHANNEL" the Parsar Bharti has to only issue the orders as the infrastructure available at DDK Jammu can be used for better propagation of our cultural values, linguistic plurality and overall development aspect of adequately represent this state of J&K at International level, so that Pakistani propaganda against the state is counter with facts and figures. Association vice president Madan Rangila, Spokesperson Janak Khajuria, and Executive Member Arun Bakshi, accompanied their President when he called on Sat Sharma.
