PM lays virtually foundation stone for FM radio station in Kalimpong

The FM station was expected to play an important role in nurturing and encouraging local youth and folk artists and creating employment opportunities. 

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, JANUARY 20,2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday virtually laid the foundation stone for an FM station in Kalimpong. The closed relay station of Doordarshan in Kalimpong has been chosen for this new scheme. Rs 3.36 crore will be spent to install the FM transmitter. 

After its installation, the people of Kalimpong city and surrounding areas would be able to listen to FM programmes clearly. The FM station was expected to play an important role in nurturing and encouraging local youth and folk artists and creating employment opportunities. 

On this occasion, a programme was also organized at the station located at Topkhana in Kalimpong. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said on the occasion radio had been an important means of communication, especially in the hills of Darjeeling. “Especially in rural areas where television cannot reach, radio reaches. 

Kalimpong has always been known for its serene beauty and rich cultural heritage, Kalimpong has given birth to some of the top personalities of Nepali music, literature, culture, art and cinema. 

 Since I was elected Member of Parliament for this region, I have tried my best to ensure the preservation of our Gorkha language, art, culture, and traditions in their entirety. I have been working to protect our airwaves through infrastructure improvements. 

One of my requested him to set up an FM station here at Kalimpong using the existing properties of Prasar Bharati. Being a hilly area, Kalimpong and its surrounding areas did not get adequate radio signal from nearby Akashvani Kurseong or Akashvani Siliguri FM stations. 

“It is our responsibility to ensure that our linguistic roots, our literature, art and culture are strengthened. We must pass on this legacy of our ancestors to our future generations,” 

Bista said. “My larger vision is to ensure the establishment of a DD Gorkha channel, for this I need your help and support.”