New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 91 new 100W FM transmitters on Friday to give a further boost to radio connectivity in the country.
As part of the government’s commitment to enhancing FM connectivity in the country, the transmitters have been installed in 85 districts across 18 States and 2 Union Territories, which will cover 2 crore people across the country.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister, said that “today marks a significant step in the expansion of FM services by All India Radio in the direction of becoming All India FM”.
“The beginning of 91 FM transmitters by All India Radio is like a present for 85 districts and 2 crore people of the nation,” he said.
Congratulating All India Radio for the achievement, he said “It provides a glimpse of the diversity and colours of India”.
Modi informed that the districts covered under the new 91 FM transmitters are aspirational districts and blocks, adding that the citizens of the Northeast will greatly benefit from this.
“For me, there is an added happiness that I have a relationship with radio as a host too”, the Prime Minister said referring to the upcoming 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat.
He said, “This kind of emotional connect with the countrymen was possible only through the radio”.
Modi underlined that the inauguration of 91 FM transmitters is taking forward the policies of the government that gives preference to the underprivileged who have been deprived of this facility so far.
“Those who were considered to be distant will now get a chance to connect at a greater level”, the Prime Minister said.
He said that the government is continuously working for the democratization of technology.
“It is important that no Indian should feel scarcity of opportunity if India has to rise up to its full potential”, Modi said.
Making modern technology accessible and affordable is key to this, he explained by mentioning optical fiber to all the villages and the cheapest data cost that has eased access to information.
The PM said that this has given a new push to digital entrepreneurship in villages. Similarly, UPI has helped small businesses and street vendors to access banking services.
Emphasizing the tech revolution, he said that “Digital India has not only given new listeners to the radio but a new thought process as well”.
Modi added that through digital technologies, education and entertainment are also reaching those sections of society that have been deprived for decades”.
