January 23 is a red-letter day in the history of Sambalpur. Besides the birth day of Veer Surendra Sai and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, this day bears further importance for Sambalpur as the
first news bulleting in Sambalpuri language began on the day from the local All India Radio Station after prolonged efforts.
Union Energy Secretary Pradeep Kumar Pujari accompanied by senior officials of the Prasar Bharati from New Delhi and Kolkata inaugurated the news broadcasting from Radhanath Rath Mandap at a grand function on Saturday evening last.
On the historic occasion, AIR New Delhi Director (news) Sitansu Kar, Director (admn) Narendra Prasad Joshi, Additional Director (eastern zone) AIR and Door Darshan, Kolkata, Abdur Rehman Seikh and many other senior officers of Prasar Bharati were present.
Inaugurating the news broadcasting programme, Energy Secretary Pujari said, “The news bulletin in Sambalpuri language will create opportunity for local events to be reflected nationally and globally.
At the same time, it would also create opportunity for local talents.” looking at the present state of affairs of radio, Pujari further suggested that AIR needs to increase content and quality, if it wants to compete with other channels and media.
AIR Sambalpur Station Director Pradipta Kumar Srichandan expressed gratitude before all those who were instrumental in making this long demanded programme possible. He further said that this bulletin would be relayed from other AIR centres of Rourkela, Bhawanipatna and Balangir.
“This day, after May 26, 1963 when Sambalpur centre was established, is another memorable day for the people of Sambalpur and the entire State. I have been demanding for news bulletin in Sambalpuri language for more than a decade. With start of the bulletin, the people of the region could know their news in their language,” said activist YK Mahakud.