In a significant development for the remote village of Hanle in Ladakh, Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar, the Northern Army Commander, officially inaugurated a community radio station on Monday. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity and promote local culture in the region, which comprises six hamlets: Bhok, Dhado, Punguk, Khuldo, Naga, and a Tibetan refugee settlement.
The newly established radio station is part of the Indian Army’s ongoing efforts to operate community radio stations in the challenging terrains of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Ladakh. The Northern Command highlighted this achievement in a post on X, indicating the Army’s commitment to engaging with local communities through entertainment and region-specific content shaped by the interests of the residents. The radio stations are managed by local radio jockeys (RJs), enabling them to curate programming that resonates with their audience.
An Army officer noted the importance of this radio initiative, stating, “In the remotest and coldest region, locals will tune into the community radio station established by the Dhruva Command.” Such stations not only serve as a source of entertainment but also foster a sense of community and continuity for those living in isolated areas.
Hanle, which sits at an elevation of 4,300 meters, is notable for being home to the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) observatory, recognized as the world’s highest-imaging Cherenkov telescope. This observatory underscores India’s strides in the fields of space and cosmic-ray research. Constructed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with assistance from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited and other industry partners, MACE is also the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia.
The establishment of the community radio station in Hanle is part of a broader initiative that has already seen the creation of several similar stations throughout the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Existing stations have been set up in locations such as Drass, Karu, Leh, Baramulla, and the Pir Panjal region in Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to provide vital communication and information access to some of the most isolated populations in the country.
This development not only enhances local media presence but also strengthens the cultural ties within these communities, ensuring that they remain connected and informed in the face of geographical challenges.
