“Kashmiri Pandits can promote their culture and reach out to a larger audience with the help of Radio Sharda.Programmes in Dogri will help in expanding the network. It is a step towards integration,” said Raman Bhalla, Jammu and Kashmir’s evenue and Relief Minister.

Bhalla added that it would help the community promote its culture, art and language.

“The youth is losing touch with our culture and traditions. They can speak Hindi or English, but not Kashmiri.

When this radio station becomes available in all houses, the young people will become aware of our language and culture,” said Navmi Kaul, radio jockey, Radio Sharda FM.

Deepali Wattal, a Kashmiri singer,said: “Finally, Kashmiri artists like me will have a platform to show our talent, sing Kashmiri songs and reach out to the people. Earlier, there was no means for Kashmiri singers to reach out to the audience even in Jammu.The only way was to make audio CDs.I’m very thankful to the organisers for their efforts.”

The FM radio station will focus on issues related to the Kashmiri Pandit community and provide them with a platform to air their grievances and find solutions.

It will highlight different issues and serve as a medium to connect with Kashmiri speaking people of the state as well.

The government has granted land and a building for the radio station to function. It is also providing all necessary support for various community radio services.

The programmes broadcast from the station will be mainly in Kashmiri,Hindi and Urdu. It will, however, take care of the interests of other listeners who speak Dogri and Gojri and reside within its aerial distance.