Seeking to restore the lost glory of a once-important public broadcasting centre in southern Assam, Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha has urged Prasar Bharati to revive the infrastructure, regional programming and unique identity of the Doordarshan Kendra Silchar.
Purkayastha raised the issue during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology in New Delhi on Wednesday. He submitted several proposals aimed at strengthening broadcasting facilities across the Northeast, with special focus on the Silchar Doordarshan centre.
He also held discussions with Prasar Bharati Director General Rajeev Kumar Jain, who assured that matters related to Silchar Doordarshan Kendra and the improvement of public broadcasting services in the Northeast would be given priority.
Purkayastha said the Silchar centre had gradually lost its original character despite playing a crucial role in showcasing the culture, language and aspirations of the Barak Valley.
“The Silchar Doordarshan Kendra was not merely a broadcasting centre; it was the voice of the Barak Valley and southern Assam. It must regain its production capacity, regional programmes and local identity,” he said.
Established at Tarapur, Silchar, in 1990, the centre became a major platform for promoting Bengali, Manipuri, tea tribe languages and other regional cultures. For decades, it catered to nearly 50 lakh people of the region through local news and cultural programmes.
At present, programmes related to Silchar Doordarshan are routed through the Guwahati Kendra.
Purkayastha also demanded the restoration of the Bengali news bulletin from Silchar, describing it as an important cultural connection for the people of the Barak Valley. He said the revival of the bulletin was not only a technical requirement but also linked to the emotional and cultural identity of the region.
He further proposed modernisation of Doordarshan and Akashvani infrastructure in remote and border areas of the Northeast to improve public communication networks.