Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 9: The only Doordarshan re-telecast center that was functioning from Vamanjoor on the outskirts of the city is going to stop functioning from the end of October.

The process of closing down 272 Doordarshan relay centers across the country, which are affiliated to the union government, is going on for the past five years as per the instructions of Prasar Bharati Board and Directorate of Doordarshan. Eleven centers were closed down in the month of August. Now the Vamanjoor relay center will down shutters at the end of October.

Re-telecast centers have lost their prominence due to DTH service of Doordarshan and also cable networks. Union government is saying that due to this situation they are closing down the relay centers. Those who use antennas to watch Doordarshan programmes will not be able to view the same in future.

Union government had decided to close down the first Doordarshan center in the state at Gulbarga a few months ago. This news information appeared in newspapers. As there was widespread opposition to this move of the union government, the decision was withdrawn.

Whether the coastal district people will fight for the survival of Doordarshan center of Mangaluru remains to be seen. Coastal districts are known to demand for Tulu language and other pro-religious and political protests. However, when it comes to infrastructure, except for saving Netravati river, no large scale protests have taken place in twin districts so far.

When Vijaya Bank, which was considered as the pride of coastal districts, was amalgamated with Bank of Baroda people of Tulunadu did not show any resistance. The same attitude of the people of Tulunadu region was evident when the international airport in the city was handed over to Adani group.

No protests related to hike of price of essentials including fuel are done in the twin districts. So it should be seen whether there will be any fight to save the only Doordarshan center left in the city.