Free DD set-top boxes distributed by Central Government

Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, along with Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Governor Satyapal Malik distributed Doordarshan (DD) Free Dish Set Top Boxes to people living in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir region in Srinagar.

Details:

• At an event organized by Doordarshan Kashmir, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister launched a spectrum of initiatives for the state along with distribution of 30,000 free DD set-top boxes.
• DD Kashmir is a regional subsidiary television station of Doordarshan.
• The Set Top Box is provided free of cost and the audience will be able to view over 100 channels for free.
• DD Kashmir launched a news bulletin titled 'Dogri News' for the Jammu region on the channel, which will be telecasted every day at 6.15 PM on the channel on digital mode.

Significance of this step:

• In small areas and districts where there is no mobile connection, no internet and no television this new step will help in providing information and making them aware.
• The DD Free Dish service will help those people who are living in remote and distant areas of J&K and further aims to cover even those areas in the country where TV has not reached so far.
• Dogri News Bulletin on satellite medium will help Dogri language reach people across the world.
• It will also give J&K's composite culture and literature a boost as Kashmiri, Dogri and Ladakhi languages will be available on the same channel.

About the DD DTH service:

• Doordarshan's DTH service also known as DD Free Dish was launched in 2004.
• It has been upgraded from time to time.
• At present, it has a capacity of 104 SDTV channels along with 40 Radio channels.
• DD Free Dish has emerged as an empowering tool for masses and now it has reached more than 34 million households in India.

Question:

Q. Central Government distributed Doordarshan (DD) Free Dish Set Top Boxes to people living in border areas of which region?
a. Gujarat
b. Jammu and Kashmir
c. Rajasthan
d. Arunachal Pradesh