Sambalpur: Bargarh MP Suresh Kumar Pujari has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in view of an announcement to permanently close Sambalpur Doordarshan Kendra (DDK).
According to a source, a number of artistes from western Odisha under the banner Paschim Odisha Kalakar Mahasangh (POKM) had staged a sit-in in front of Sambalpur collectorate Tuesday afternoon in this regard.
The protesters opposed the closure of Sambalpur Doordarshan Centre arguing that it is among the oldest TV stations in India and the first in Odisha.
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Several renowned personalities including Jitendra Haripal, Mitrabhanu Gountia and Haladhar Nag along with Pujari supported the cause and joined the protests seeking an early withdrawal of the government decision.
Following the protests, Pujari also wrote a letter to Modi. In his letter, the MP stated that the DDK in Sambalpur was commissioned in 1978 as the eighth station of the country and was inaugurated by erstwhile Information and Broadcasting Minister Lal Krishna Advani.
“The Sambalpur DDK played a pivotal role in promoting and enriching culture, tradition, music and dance of western Odisha,” Pujari added arguing for revival of the centre.
PNN
