The state run Bangladesh Television (Btv) started its formal broadcasting in India from Monday. Btv started transmission of its programme from 9 in the morning. A ceremony was organised to mark the occasion of broadcasting the programmes. The function was attended by dignitaries from Indian High Commission in Dhaka and officials of the Information Ministry and Btv.
While addressing a crowded audience on the occasion at the Btv Bhaban in Rampura, Dr Hasan Mahmud, Information Minister, said, “The world is now turning into a global village, and it's high time to expand our culture and heritage to the other parts of the world.” Broadcasting country's channel to other countries helps to build strong cultural bonding between people to people and help to exchange each other countries cultural views, values and understanding.
The Minister made the statement while formally inaugurating transmission of the Btv programs in India by using Bangabandhu satellite 1 on Monday. State Minister for Information, Dr Murad Hasan and Indian High Commissioner (IHC) to Bangladesh, Riva Ganguly Das was present at the opening event as special guests while information secretary Abdul Malek chaired the function.
Citing the formal inauguration as a historic moment for both countries, the Minister said, ‘Through the DTH platform, Btv will regularly air its programs in India while Bangladeshi audience will also be able to enjoy tv programmes of the Indian state run tv - Doordarshan. The Minister informed that the telecasting event was possible due to an a previous agreement between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in May, 2015 on the exchange telecasting programmes.
Following the announcement during May this year Btv signed an agreement with Prasar Bharati and completed technical procedures by July this year for the broadcasting. “Broadcasting Btv in India will help to bring both countries people even closer than before. Bangladesh will always remember the cooperation and help that had India extended during the country's liberation war,” he added.
State minister for information Dr Murad Hassan said, “It's a memorable moment for the country as it's an achievement of the digital Bangladesh. I hope Btv will soon broadcast its programmes to other parts of the world. “ Indian High Commissioner Riva Ganguly Das said, “Broadcasting Btv in India and Doordarshan in Bangladesh will help exchange both countries’ culture and people will know each other even better.”
“Television plays a strong role in building people to people ties, broadcasting Btv will surely help build a closer bonding,” she added. “Television plays an important role in informing people, shaping opinion and deepening understanding widely recognized. Our shared history, common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties will be exchanged to each other through this,” she further added.
Notable, all formalities have been completed for airing BTV in India through DTH (Direct-To-Home) platform of Doordarshan, the state-owned TV channel of India as connection between BS-1 and Indian Doordarshan was fixed on July 3. On July 3, the BTV and Doordarshan’s technical teams saw Btv by down linking its programmes at Doordarshan’s earth station by fixing alignment of BS-1 (Bangabandhu Satellite). Initially, the viewers would be able to watch BTV World service programmes in India.
Btv Director General SM Haroon-or-Rashid gave welcome speech. Shree Amit Khare, Information and Broadcasting Secretary of India also attended the inauguration through a video message. Among others Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood also spoke on the occasion.
