BIND scheme: Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor of India, had emphasised the need for the nation to sharpen its abilities in the fourth type of warfare, which involves the use of misinformation as a weapon. At a conference, he noted that India’s devious neighbours could use this method to their advantage. The only way to combat it is by ensuring that accurate information is widely disseminated.
Information warfare: The 4th kind of warfare
The government is aiming to spread its factual information and public welfare schemes to the public through its broadcasting channels in order to counter the leftist and Maoist mentality. All India Radio and Prasar Bharati are being utilised to amplify the government’s reach and ensure that accurate information is being disseminated to the public. This will help to counter any false narratives and misinformation that have been spreading throughout any specific region.
The Union government on Wednesday announced that it has approved the Central scheme with an outlay of Rs 2,539.61 crore up to 2025-26 to boost public-sector broadcasting in the country. Under the BIND scheme, All India Radio’s FM channels will be expanded to cover more than 80% of the population. 8 lakh Direct-To-Home (DTH) set-top boxes (DTBs) will also be distributed to people living in remote areas.
The government has announced that the ‘Prasar Bharati Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development Scheme’ or the BIND scheme will significantly expand the reach of AIR FM transmitters in the country. The BIND scheme will raise coverage to 66% by geographical area and 80% in terms of population, compared to the current levels of 59% and 68% respectively.
The government highlighted those certain areas, such as those with tribal populations, areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism, and areas located close to national borders, will warrant special consideration.
The BIND scheme will help improve the reach of Doordarshan and All India Radio to every nook and corner of the nation. This will be done by strengthening their transmission, distribution and production infrastructure which will help India to fight against the false narratives.
BIND scheme will also provide support for the installation of new radio transmitters, digitalisation of studio and production facilities, and the procurement of new equipment. This project will include the acquisition of OB vans and the digital transformation of DD and AIR studios to enable them to be HD-compatible.
The BIND scheme will ensure that the Indian public will be provided with access to quality and reliable information, as well as entertainment, through state-run broadcasters.
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Anurag Thakur the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, expressed that the scheme aims to outline the vision of Doordarshan for the next two decades.
Another priority area of the BIND scheme aims to promote and strengthen the production of quality content for both domestic and global viewers. It will also enhance the capacity of the direct-to-home (DTH) platform to enable the inclusion of a greater variety of channels.
“Prasar Bharti is the public broadcaster…it is not just about profit making. The aim is to ensure information regarding the government’s work and schemes reaches people. Different reports have pointed at the quality of content, whether it is Doordarshan or AIR,” said Anurag Thakur. He added that both DD and AIR are also available on mobile phones.
The measures of the government of India will ensure that people living in areas where the left-wing cabal has extended its reach and cut the people off from the rest of the country will be able to come out from the darkness of misinformation. This will also help them gain a greater understanding of the nation and the world around them.
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