MUMBAI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati is geared up to launch a 24×7 satellite television channel in northeast India on 25 December catering to the region’s cultural ethos. Prasar Bharati runs Doordarshan and All India Radio.

The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has allocated Rs 7 crore to the broadcaster for launching DD Arun Prabha.

Indiantelevision had reported that Prasar Bharati had in April last year proposed that the existing North-East channel be trifurcated by launching two additional 24X7 satellite channels for North Eastern Region designated as Arun Prabha Itanagar and 'Ma-Mi-Na' Aizawl. DD North-East telecasts entertainment and information-based programmes in Assamese, Bengali, English and other languages of the north-east region.

The channels are expected to provide a strong platform to rich cultural and linguistic identity of the region.

Arun Prabha channel was proposed to cater to the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the second channel will cater to the states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur and the third to Assam and Meghalaya.

Now, DD Arun Prabha will showcase programmes on the diverse culture of the northeastern states. The ministry has already sanctioned money for this channel, said Prasar Bharati chairperson A. Surya Prakash said.

The proposal to launch DD Arun Prabha was announced in Narendra Modi government’s first budget. This step comes as a part of Doordarshan’s initiative to strengthen its plans in the northeast.