Modi's new step? 40-year-old Baloch broadcast to be beefed up

On Wednesday, we were greeted with the news that All India Radio (AIR) is going to 'start' broadcasting programmes in Balochi. 

 

This 'new' effort by the AIR was pitched as part of Prime Minister's Narendra Modi's new 'soft power' attack against Pakistan. 

 

In a short while, several media houses picked up the news, running banner headlines that made it seem like this was a new step taken up by the Modi government.

 

For example, CNN News 18 beamed out - "Modi's hard diplomatic punch to Pak". The Hindu carried the story with the headline - Coming soon: AIR news in Balochi. 

 

But is this really a new step at all?

 

It should be noted that for the past several decades, the AIR has been broadcasting programs in 15 foreign languages, including Balochi. 

 

In fact, Balochi language services were first transmitted on May 26, 1974, and since then an hour-long segment has been broadcasted daily between 8.30 pm to 9:30 pm IST. 

 

The service comprises of programmes such as news bulletins, music and others. The broadcast to Balochistan is made from the AIR Khampur station, using high-power short-wave transmitters.

 

In all possibility, this 'new' move is just an extension of the already existing radio services. Presumably, the time slot will be expanded, and more pro-India messages will be included. 

 

Asianet Newsable has reached out to both the Director General, All India Radio, Fayyaz Sheheryar and Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar for clarification, which is still awaited.

 

 

Interestingly, the news of the AIR services to Balochistan was greeted with much fanfare. 

 

"Announcement made by the Indian government on transmitting Balochi programs on All India Radio is a big step, and we are thankful to PM Modi for the same. We expect such help from him in the future too, so that we can get rid of inhuman Pakistan," Jawad Baloch, President of the Balochistan Republican Party (BRP) in Germany told India Today.