Kurseong Doordarshan centre `closure': Thapa writes to CM

SNS, DARJEELING. 3 JANUARY 2022: The president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha  (BGPM), Anit Thapa, today wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to look into the Centre's decision to close down the Low Power Transmission TV Tower (LPT) Centre (Doordarshan) located in Kurseong in Darjeeling.

In the letter, Mr Thapa has said, "The decision and the move of the central government to shut down the LPT Centre located at Kurseong is highly regrettable. As a result of this, viewers will now have to opt for local cable TV networks or DTH connections."

According to the BGPM leader, Doordarshan has a "nostalgic value" attached with the people, along with the TV Tower located at Naya bazaar in the town.

"It is as iconic as the place - itself. For outsiders, at first glance it may be a tourist attraction on top of a hill, but for the people it has an emotional value attached to it," said . Mr Thapa, adding that the tower signifies a symbol of ' pride, hope and belonging to the people here.

Mr Thapa also said that it was not only about emotions, but claimed that people will not have access to Doordarshan in remote parts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong if the centre is discontinued.

"It is also about the economic ramifications of the tower being closed. Many employees associated with the upkeep of the tower will be losing their jobs. Also, since it is a major tourist attraction, our drivers, tour operators, hoteliers and other tourism stakeholders will take a hit," said Mr Thapa.

He also said that there were news floating that the All India Radio centre in Kurseong too would face a similar fate, which if happened, the Nepali-speaking population would lose access to a substantial number of programmes in their language.

"This will be very damaging for our culture, our community. Farmers, poets, literary figures, students who depend on the radio will be highly impacted. Similarly, casual employees and others depending on the AIR, Kurseong will lose their jobs," he said. Mr Thapa has urged the state government to take up the matter with authorities at Prasar Bharati and the central government.