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DD’s ‘Kashir Channel’ fails to counter Pak propaganda

The channel which is non-propagandist and aims at integrating the people of the state with the rest of the country, cannot be watched by a majority of the people even within the 25 km radius as power supply remains cut for almost 12 hours every day.

The dedicated Doordarshan channel for Kashmir, DD Kashir, launched by the government on January 26 with the objective of countering Pakistani media propaganda from across the Border, has failed to serve its purpose mainly because of severe power shortage in the valley and its very limited reach.

The channel for which the centre has allocated Rs.90 crore for one year, has a reach of 20 to 25 km and does not cover remote villages of the valley which are most affected by militancy. It therefore fails to counter the massive anti-India propaganda launched by Pakistan television (PTV) through its powerful transmitters along the border.

The channel which is non-propagandist and aims at integrating the people of the state with the rest of the country, cannot be watched by a majority of the people even within the 25 km radius as power supply remains cut for almost 12 hours every day.

About 50 per cent of the 16-hour telecast time every day is in Kashmiri language while the rest is in Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, Balti, Sheena and other dialects. The telecasts commence at 7 am with the recital of Quran for five days and Gurbani and Leela (Hindu folk prayers) for the remaining two days.

Information and broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said the channel would increase its reach to 98 per cent of the population in Kashmir by June next year. He also said the government had launched a plan for increasing the reach of DD in mountainous regions of the country, including Kashmir. He said mountains often created shadow area making it difficult for terrestrial channels to reach the region.

Many local people said that they were yet to see the programmes beamed on the channel mainly because of power failure. "Nobody must have seen the complete programme," said Manzoor Ahmad, a local businessman.

However, Ashraf Sahil, director, Srinagar Doordarshan, claimed that overall the Kashir channel had "overshadowed" all other channels including Sony and Zee. All these channels are banned by militants but are still beamed and preferred by locals because of reach and better programming.

Sahil said women who initially did not want to come on television, had been openly speaking in front of the camera about the "suffocation" they had been facing during militancy. He said they would be starting many more programmes like how migration and militancy had affected the youth and how many times Pakistan had attacked Kashmir since 1949.

Another official of Srinagar Doordarshan, Bashir Malik, said the Srinagar DD employees had to work under tremendous strain and risk to their lives. The DD centre has been attacked a number of times by grenades and rockets. DD sources said an attempt was even made to smuggle in explosives hidden in a dressed chicken and a harmonium.

The sources admitted that PTV is more strong and immediately reacted with much force to anything shown on Srinagar Doordarshan. They expected the reactions to go up in summer.

"There is immediate reaction from across the border where Srinagar DD is continuously monitored. A major portion of their (PTV) news bulletins is dedicated to Kashmir developments."
But Kashir channel’s 16-hour schedule has a 50 minute programme Subah Bakhair-Kashmir (good morning Kashmir) which begins at 7.10 am. The programme by the Asia Pacific communication associates (APCA) is the only programme launched on Kashir channel by an agency. All other programmes are by private producers including 62 per cent from the valley and 38 per cent from outside the valley.

The subah bakhair was started on January 27, a day after the Kashir channel was launched. It has set up an office in the valley and has managed to steer out of any controversy and hostile environment mainly because of its non-propagandist programmes based on pure infotainment and the employment it has given to about 30 local youths. The programme has 15 segments including on science, Sports, music and quiz.

The staff of APCA say they initially had to face stiff opposition from local producers who earlier monopolised DD programming. They naturally felt threatened. "We have to tread very carefully and make sure not to hurt the sensibilities of the local population," said Nakul Shivani, Chief producer apca. "We took it up as a challenge as the conditions were very tough--from power failure to a hostile atmosphere."

The lone lady compere of the Subah Bakhair programme, Akila Jan, says she has no hesitation in coming before the camera. The programme has generated employment among the local youth who otherwise could fall into the trap of militants.

"Even now we are occasionally threatened," says Sanjay Singh, the producer of the programme. Out of a staff strength of 34, four people are from outside the state and that too on a rotational basis.

Besides employment, the programme has exposed the local youth to modern techniques of television production. Sahil, makeup artist for the programme, could only remember gunshots, curfew and bandhs before he joined apca. Despite opposition, he enjoys his job and is now looking forward to joining the film industry as a makeup artist. "I want to make enough money and acquire more experience," he says confidently.

Akila, a law graduate from Kashmir university, also has dreams of shifting to Delhi for better prospects.

Nakul shivani says that initially nobody came forward to join them thinking it was just another propaganda programme. But gradually when truth dawned on them, they started flocking their office.

Sixty five days of work coupled with training has made the youth extremely confident professionals. "They are now trained to handle betacam which had to be airlifted from Delhi," a makeshift studio was set up in a local hotel on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Dhruv, a producer, says that initially even an electric bulb had to be airlifted from Delhi. In addition the cold weather, militancy and severe power shortage crippled the performance. However, the programme had started getting a tremendous feedback and the response was heartening.

"The programming has transformed the lives of the local youth, at least 30 of them. They are all looking ahead towards a bright future leaving behind their past," Nakul said.

Qazi Ghulam Rasool, a retired Chief engineer now turned journalist, says that highlighting the uniqueness of Kashmiri culture which is ancient and based on sufism, alongwith providing employment to local youth, could go a long way in weaning away the youth from militancy.

Srinagar DD director Ashraf Sahil said they also planned to include programmes focussing on Kashmiri culture and traditions and the history of Kashmir valley.

UNI