Bangladeshi, Indian state-run radios launch broadcast exchange programmes

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NEW DELHI, Jan 14, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladeshi and Indian state-run radios
today launched a broadcast exchange programme enabling audiences to listen to
Bangladesh Betar and Akashvani radio in both the countries.

Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud and his Indian counterpart Prakash
Javadekar jointly launched the broadcasting programme between Prasar Bharati
and Bangladesh Betar.

“Bangladesh Betar is now being heard across India while Akashvani, also now
could be heard in Bangladesh,” a Bangladesh information ministry statement
said.

It said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two
state-run radios in April 2018 regarding broadcasting programmes of
Bangladesh Betar, but it was not implemented so long.

Officials familiar with the development said listeners of both the
countries, especially the people in Tripura and West Bengal, would be able
to hear Bangladesh Betar’s programmes terrestrially while rest of India
through using DTH (Direct to Home) service.

They said the people of Kolkata could now listen to the Bangladesh Betar
programmes tuning FM 100.1 megahertz through Akashvani Channel while people
of Agartala could hear it tuning FM 101.6 megahertz.

The Betar progarrmes could also be heard in India from 7.30 am to 9.30am
and 5.30 pm to 7.30pm through Akashbani apps and DTH as well.

The audience of Akashvani, also known as All India Radio, in Bangladesh
could hear the Indian radio programmes tuning FM 108 megahertz.

They said listeners from across the globe would also be able to enjoy
Bangladesh Betar’s programmes by downloading www.newsonair.com apps from now
on.

Hasan took the initiative to launch the broadcasting of Betar’s programmes
by All India Radio in line with the agreement after he assumed the charge of
the information ministry.

Speaking on the occasion, Hassan recalled India’s contribution to
Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War and said that the relations between the two
friendly countries now reached a newer height during the tenure of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

He wished that the existing bilateral relations between the two
neighbouring countries would further deepen in the years to come for mutual
benefit.

In this connection, he emphasized accelerating media and cultural exchange
programmes to enhance technical, cultural and institutional know-how of the
people of Bangladesh and India.

On India-Bangladesh Joint Venture Programme to produce the biopic of
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he hoped that
production of the film would be completed in scheduled time.

In his remarks, Indian Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash
Javadekar said that Bangladesh and India have “organic relations” and this
bond of friendship would be further strengthened in future as both the
countries have a “shared legacy”.

He said more programmes have to be produced especially on environment to
create awareness among the people to save lives and nature through joint
cooperation.

He said Bangladesh and India have been enjoining excellent bilateral
relations which also got momentum during the tenure of the two leaders- Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh High Commissioner-in-Charge Rokibul Huq, Director General of
Betar, Managing Director of BFDC and senior mission officials accompanied the
minister in the meeting. The Indian minister was accompanied by senior
officials of the ministry of information and external affairs.

Later, in an open discussion, the delegation members of the two countries
discussed various issues mostly focusing on increasing cooperation between
media of the two countries.

The Bangladesh information minister sought Indian support to develop the
Bangabandhu Film City as per international standard. The Indian side has
agreed to provide all out support to this end.

Later, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bangladesh
Film Development Corporation (BFDC) and National Film Development Corporation
(NFDC), India on producing the biopic of Bangladesh’s Founding Father
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

BFDC Managing Director Miz Nuzhat Yashmin and her NFDC counterpart TCA
Kalyani signed the MoU on behalf of their respected organizations.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud, who is now on a 4-day official visit to India, also
attended a roundtable discussion at the invitation of Vivekananda
International Foundation before joining a dinner hosted by Bangladesh mission
here.

He will join a dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in
honour of the participants of the prestigious Raisina Dialogue-2020 that
began today. As many as 700 guests including seven former heads of state and
government from across the world have been participating in the two-day
event.

The Bangladesh information minister will visit Ramoji Film City in
Hyderabad on Thursday. He will leave Hyderabad for Singapore on Friday.