O.P Sharma
The Regional News Unit (RNU) of Akashvani, Jammu, established 54 years ago, on December 6, 1971 during the Indo-Pak war, began its credible journey for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and even across the borders. From those testing times to date, the highly advanced digital landscape, RNU Akashvani Jammu has continuously evolved, modernized, updated and upheld its reputation as one of this region’s most accurate and authentic source of information. Started with a single Dogri News Bulletin of 10 minutes duration, RNU Jammu today is not lesser than a full fledged media house.
Everyday seven News Bulletins are serving diverse linguistic communities including three Regional Dogri News Bulletins, two Gojri News Bulletins and two National Dogri News Bulletins that are put out daily reporting latest stories
about socio economic development and other issues concerning the public.
March Forward
In an interview, N. Gulshan Raina (IIS), Regional Head, RNU Akashvani Jammu informed that various new and innovative plans are in the pipeline for furthering the reach and credibility of our news programmes for ever-growing listenership. He further added that RNU is committed to linguistic inclusivity and regional representation. It may be mentioned RNU Jammu produces and broadcasts two major monthly programmes like a special discussion on Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat and another on Women Empowerment, featuring inspiring women achievers from various fields. Besides, 4 to 5 special programmes are broadcast every month to commemorate key Nation and International observances. These programmes focus on awareness, public education and national consciousness.
Mr. Raina also claimed that a milestone was achieved last year when RNU Jammu celebrated its Annual Day for the first time and also during the Annual Day celebration, RNU introduced awards for the Best News Editor, Best News Reader Cum Translator (Dogri), Best Casual News Reader Cum Translator (Dogri), Best Casual News Reader Cum Translator (Gojri), Best District Correspondent and Best Ministerial Staff Members. This year the RNU Jammu has added the prestigious category of the Life Time Achievement Award, honouring individuals whose long- standing contributions have shaped the unit’s growth and identity.
Technology, Innovation
RNU, Akashvani Jammu has transformed from audio-centric unit into a dynamic digital news provider. Dogri and Gojri news bulletins are uploaded online. It is noteworthy that the RNU bulletins have strong digital presence on
Facebook, You-tube, and Instagram. This growing presence ensures rapid, authentic dissemination of regional news, especially among younger audiences. Other features are: Launch of WhatsApp News Channel, Daily Counter Propaganda Commentary, Weekly News Reel Programme and Strengthening Ground Reporting for wider news coverage.
To strengthen real-time news delivery, RNU Jammu has launched its official WhatsApp News Channel, providing instant, accurate updates and alerts directly to subscribers’ mobile phones. The 5-minute daily Counter Propaganda Commentary reinforces the unit’s responsibility to combat misinformation and promote factual awareness. Additional commentaries on important observances are also broadcasted regularly. The regional News Reel with title “Samachar Darshan” is broadcast every Sunday at 12:10 Noon. This 15-minute weekly programme highlights important events of the week including cultural events and other off beats programmes and events that take place during the week.
Dedicated Public Service
The Regional News Unit (RNU) in Dogri of All India Radio (AIR), Jammu, has completed over five decades of public service of newscasts and is celebrating its 55th Foundation Day on December 6 this year. After rendering more than half- century service of news- casting in Dogri and later on Gojri as well for the accurate news and analysis to mould informed public in the largest democracy of India.
In recent years, RNU Jammu has also emerged as a crucial bridge between the government and the public by consistently highlighting welfare schemes, grassroots development stories, and citizen-centric initiatives. Its balanced coverage has strengthened public awareness in remote and border areas where authentic information is often the need of the hour. The unit’s ability to simplify complex issues—ranging from health campaigns to disaster response—has earned it the trust of listeners across generations.
What sets the RNU Jammu apart is its unwavering commitment to nurturing new talent in regional journalism. Workshops, in-house training, and exposure to digital tools have further strengthened the unit’s capability to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem.
As RNU Jammu steps confidently into its 55th year, its journey stands as a testament to the power of credible broadcasting in nation-building. With expanding digital footprints, enriched linguistic content, and a motivated team working tirelessly behind the microphones, the Regional News Unit is poised to scale new heights. The coming years will undoubtedly see RNU Jammu shaping public discourse with even greater clarity, purpose, and dedication to public service broadcasting.
Galaxy of Pioneers
An eminent writer, Thakur Poonchi was the founding editor of Dogri News Unit, who single-handedly worked by putting in his best and was followed and headed, among others, by noted figures like: Dr. Kiran ‘Kashmiri’. Ajit Singh, Ashok, Handoo, Mohammad Yousaf Ganai, M.K Wangoo, Bagwant Singh, Vijay Saqi, Sanjit Khajuria, Neha Jalali, R. K Raina and the present incumbent Gulshan Raina. The noted Newscasters with RNU included: Lajya Manhas, Narendra Bhasin, Joginderpal ‘Chhatarpal’, Dr. Veena Gupta, Vijay Sharma, Chanchal Bhasin; Narendra Bhasin, Bhanu Pratap, Sudershan Prassar, Raman Kesar, Vijay Verma, Kuldeep Singh Jandrahiya, Nirmal Vinod, Jagmohan Sharma, Vijay Bajaj, Shruti Khajuria, and many others. Over the years, these bulletins have created wide-spread awareness among the general public. The basic objective of these news-casts has been to put out all objective local news and analysis.
This AIR Station, Jammu and its Regional News Unit has played a vital role in the dissemination of news, analysis through commentaries and different captivating programmes which play pivotal roles in public information and also act in promotion of Dogri and sister languages as well as projecting our distinct cultural heritage winning public trust.
Still ‘Miles to Go’
Still, there is urgent need to further upgrade our Dogri and other sister languages bullets by deploying new technology, innovations and infrastructure in the Regional News Unit of AIR, Jammu and move further forward on the new frontiers of news-casting through the powerful media of broadcasting as well as telecasting in sensitive and border Jammu and Kashmir UT. Will both the Centre and UT move in the media as “Fourth Pillar” of our democratic set up.
From border villages to smart phones, from crisis communication to public awareness, RNU Jammu is moving towards a future that is digital, dynamic, multilingual, people- centric, and deeply rooted in public service broadcasting.
The Akashvani News Jammu has to play a leading role in projecting and promoting our mother tongue Dogri and our rich cultural heritage. We have achieved much by All India Radio but we still have miles to go ahead.
Mr. O. P Sharma is a renowned veteran Journalist and has been actively associated with the Akashvani, Jammu.
