Guwahati: The Minister Of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has sought as many as 22 organisations from Assam in an effort to resume the airing of Assamese Language newscast at All India Radio (AIR) in Dibrugarh.
Prashar Bharati has discontinued airing the Assamese new bulletin at AIR Dibrugarh as of October 24.
The organisations urged Thakur to reconsider Prasar Bharati’s decision in a memo sent to the Union Minister on Saturday, stating that the Assamese people had been “majorly shocked and disappointed” by the move.
“… you must be aware that the Assamese News Bulletin of All India Radio (AIR) Dibrugarh has been discontinued from October 24. The move has come as a major shock and disappointment for the people of our state,” the memorandum read.
“The 5-minute Assamese News bulletin that was broadcast daily from 6 pm has had an emotional and nostalgic attachment for the people of Assam since it began airing in the early 70s. Even today the news bulletin has been the only source of information for the people living in the rural pockets.”
“Even people living in the urban areas listen to the Assamese news bulletin. Not only Assam but people from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland depend on the Assamese news bulletin aired by the All India Radio Dibrugarh station,” it mentioned.
“The discontinuation of the news bulletin has broken the heart of the people. Therefore, on behalf of the people of Assam we request you to kindly reconsider the decision and allow All India Radio Dibrugarh to air the Assamese News Bulletin like before,” it added.
The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Parishad general secretary Udayan Kumar Gogoi the Also Assam Motock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan president Ranjit Gohain and representatives from 20 other organisations all signed the document.
Assamese residents from all throughout the state of Assam have vigorously protested Prasar Bharati’s decision to end the Assamese news bulletin at AIR Dibrugarh as part of its cost-cutting efforts.