Namaskar ji!
Present in the program are my colleagues from the Union Cabinet, Hon’ble chief ministers of various states, MPs, MLAs, other dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen,
Many personalities who have received Padma Awards are also associated with us in today’s program. I respectfully welcome them too and congratulate them. The expansion of FM service of All India Radio is a big and important step towards becoming All India FM. The launch of 91 FM transmitters of All India Radio is like a gift for two crore people in 85 districts of the country. In a way, this event also has a glimpse of the diversity and different colours of India. Aspirational districts and blocks are also among the 85 districts that will benefit from this service. I congratulate All India Radio for this achievement. This will greatly benefit our brothers and sisters from the North East and our young friends. I specially congratulate them for this new service.
Friends,
When it comes to radio and FM, our generation has a relationship of a passionate listener with it. And for me, it is a matter of great pleasure that my relationship with radio has become that of a host as well. In just a few days, I am going to do the 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' on the radio. This experience of 'Mann Ki Baat', this kind of emotional connection with the countrymen, was possible only through radio. Through this, I remained connected to the potential of the countrymen and the nation's collective duty. Be it the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, or the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan, 'Mann Ki Baat' made these campaigns a mass movement. So, in a way, I am also a part of the team of All India Radio.
Friends,
There is one more special thing about today's event. This furthers the government's policy of giving preference to the underprivileged. Those who were deprived of this facility till now and who were living far away will now be more connected with all of us. These FM transmitters will play a very important role in timely delivery of necessary information, community building work, weather related information regarding agriculture, the latest information to farmers about the prices of crops, fruits and vegetables, discussions on the damages caused by chemical farming, pooling of modern machines for farming, informing women's self-help groups about new markets, or helping the entire region during a natural calamity. Apart from this, the infotainment value of FM will definitely be there.
Friends,
Our government is continuously working for the democratization of technology. For India to be able to make full use of its potential, it is necessary that no Indian should lack opportunities. Making modern technology accessible and affordable to all is a big medium for this purpose. Today access to information has become very easy in India due to the laying of optical fibre in villages and bringing down the cost of both mobile phones and mobile data so much. Nowadays, we see new digital entrepreneurs coming up in every corner of the country. The youths are earning by taking advantage of digital technology while living in the villages. Similarly, when our small shopkeepers and street vendors got access to the Internet and UPI, they also started taking advantage of the banking system. Today our fishermen colleagues get the correct weather related information at the right time with the help of technology. Today our small entrepreneurs are able to sell their products in every nook and corner of the country with the help of technology. They are also getting help from the Government-e-Marketplace i.e. GeM in this regard.
Friends,
The tech revolution that has taken place in the country in the last few years has also shaped radio and especially FM in a new avatar. Due to the internet, radio has not lagged behind, but has come forward in innovative ways through online FM and podcasts etc. That is, Digital India has also given new listeners to radio as well as a new way of thinking. You can see this revolution in every medium of communication. For example, the service of DD Free Dish, the country's largest DTH platform, is available to 4.30 crore households. Today all the information of the world is reaching in real time in crores of rural homes of the country, in the areas near the borders. The section of the society, which remained weak and deprived for decades, is also getting the facilities of education and entertainment through Free Dish. This has resulted in removing the disparity between different sections of the society and providing quality information to everyone. Today various types of educational courses are available on DTH channels. The expertise of top universities is directly available to your homes. It has helped crores of students of the country a lot during the Corona period. Be it DTH or FM radio, their power gives us a window to peep into future India. We have to prepare ourselves for this future.
Friends,
There is another dimension to the connectivity being made through FM transmitters. These FM transmitters will broadcast in all languages of the country and especially in 27 dialects. In other words, this connectivity not only connects the means of communication, but also connects people. This is a hallmark of the way our government functions. Often when we talk about connectivity, the picture of road, rail and airport emerges in front of us. But apart from physical connectivity, our government has laid equal emphasis on increasing social connectivity. Our government is also continuously strengthening cultural and intellectual connectivity.
For example, we have honoured real heroes from different parts of the country through Padma Awards, Literature and Art Awards in the last nine years. Unlike before, Padma awards are not given on the basis of recommendation, but on the basis of service to the country and society. The Padma awardees associated with us today know this very well. People from one state are going to another state after the rejuvenation of pilgrimages, religious places in different parts of the country. The increasing number of people visiting tourist places is proof of increasing cultural connectivity in the country. Be it the museum related to tribal freedom fighters, the reconstruction of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Panchteerth, the PM Museum, or the National War Memorial, such initiatives have given a new dimension to intellectual and emotional connectivity in the country.
Friends,
The purpose of connectivity in any form is to connect the country, to connect 140 crore countrymen. This should be the vision and mission for all communication channels like All India Radio. I am sure you will continue to move ahead with this vision and this expansion will continue to give new strength to the country through dialogue. Once again, I convey my best wishes and congratulations to All India Radio and my dear brothers and sisters from far flung areas of the country. Thank you.
