Indian Army has inaugurated its first-ever community radio station (CRS) named “Panchshul Pulse” in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The initiative is part of Operation Sadbhawana, aiming to connect and empower border communities through information, culture, and awareness.
About Panchshul Pulse
- Name of Station: Panchshul Pulse (88.4 FM). It is named after the Panchshul mountain range in Uttarakhand. It reflects the identity, resilience, and spirit of India’s border communities.
- Tagline: “Hill se Dil Tak” (From hills to the heart)
- Location: Kumaon sector, border district of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
- Broadcast Range: Approx. 12 km
Objectives and Purpose
- Acts as a “communication bridge” between:
- Indian Army
- Civil administration
- Remote Himalayan communities
- Enhances goodwill, trust, and real-time communication in sensitive border regions.
- Promotes the Government of India’s Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP).
Programming & Features
- Broadcast in local dialects, promoting inclusivity.
- Content includes:
- Local issues, development needs, and government schemes
- Interviews with villagers, youth, women leaders, veterans, and army personnel
- Cultural shows: Kumaoni traditions, folk music, Bollywood songs, festivals
- Oral histories of border communities
- Awareness programmes: healthcare, education, disaster preparedness, digital literacy
- Weather and road condition updates for locals and tourists
- Countering misinformation and hostile narratives impacting border areas
- Highlights local heroes: soldiers, sportspersons, artists, and social workers
About Operation Sadbhawana
- An initiative by the Indian Army to build trust and goodwill in remote and border regions.
- Focus areas: development, infrastructure, education, health, and community engagement.
About Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)
- Launched: 15 February 2023
- Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Coverage: Northern border villages across 19 districts in 46 blocks in:
- Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh (UT)
Objectives:
- Holistic development of border villages.
- Provide basic infrastructure: roads, housing, renewable energy, community centres, sanitation, healthcare, and education.
- Promote livelihood through:
- Tourism and culture
- Skill development and entrepreneurship
- Agriculture, horticulture, medicinal plant cultivation
- Goal: Encourage locals to remain in border villages, thereby:
- Strengthening border security
- Enabling sustainable development
VVP-II (2024–2029):
- Budget: ₹6,839 crore
- Focus: Develop villages along international land borders, excluding the northern border
Complementary Scheme:
- Border Area Development Programme (BADP):
- Covers villages within 0–10 km of international boundaries in 16 states and 2 UTs.