Today on this historic day of Golden Jubilee Celebrations, I wish to congratulate officers and staff of Doordarshan, Gangtok and extend my greetings to each and everyone associated with the organization.

I place on record our appreciation for all that our Public Service Television Broadcaster, Doordarshan, has been doing over the last five decades, especially for the benefit of people living in the remote areas of our great and beautiful country.

Media, especially television, has a great role to play as our people are living at different levels of development. Information on economic strivings and social challenges concerning education, health care and social justice need to reach the under-privileged and marginalized sections of the people spread across the remote corners of the country. The challenge before the national broadcaster and electronic news media therefore becomes both formidable and relevant in bringing about social change.

In this context, Doordarshan has played a significant role in informing, educating and entertaining millions of our fellow countrymen who virtually do not have access to any other media channels.

With its principle of fair and balanced approach giving utmost importance to authenticity and credibility and extending its platform to all sections of social, cultural, religious and linguistic groups and minorities, Doordarshan has been showing tremendous responsibility over the last 50 years. It has also been a formidable platform for national integration and communal harmony.

The success and sustenance of Doordarshan will depend very much on people steering its course. Their professional competence, sincerity and dedication in their service in providing authentic news and views will undoubtedly place this channel on the highest pedestal of media and communication world.

I would once again like to wish Doordarshan Kendra, Gangtok as well as other Kendras all over the country grand success in their Golden Jubilee Celebrations and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

     Thank you.