Indian Army Launches First FM Radio Station in Uttarakhand

• 26 May 2025

Why in News? 

The Indian Army has launched its first FM radio station, named 'Panchshul Pulse,' in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.  

• It was inaugurated by Anindya Sengupta, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s Central Command. 

Key Points 

• About the Radio Station: 
  • The station has been named ‘Panchshul Pulse’ to reflect its association with the local Panchshul Brigade of the Indian Army. 
  • It is operated as part of Operation Sadbhavana, a long-standing Army initiative to build constructive relationships with civilians in strategically important areas. 
    • Operation Sadbhavana is a humanitarian initiative launched by the Indian Army in the 1990s to support communities affected by terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. 
  • It aligns with the Vibrant Villages Programme, which emphasises development, connectivity, and awareness in India’s border areas. 
  • The station broadcasts on 88.4 FM and can be received within a 12-kilometer radius. 
• Objectives of the Initiative: 
  • It aims to enhance civil-military cooperation by serving as a platform for cultural, historical, and social exchange. 
  • The station also seeks to raise awareness about the contributions and sacrifices of individuals from the border region. 
• Highlights of the Radio Programming: 
  • The programming places special emphasis on local history, culture, and societal practices. 
  • It includes content on agriculture and horticulture, which are key occupations in the region. 
  • The station features stories that celebrate the achievements of martyrs and brave soldiers from the area. 
  • It also highlights the accomplishments of local sportspersons and individuals working in social and cultural sectors.

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) 

• About: The programme was approved on 15th February 2023 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic development of villages along India's northern border in 19 districts across 46 blocks in states including Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh (UT). 
• Focus Areas: Livelihood generation will be promoted through tourism, cultural promotion, skill development, entrepreneurship, as well as agriculture, horticulture, and the cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs. 
  • The programme will focus on improving infrastructure through road connectivity, housing, renewable energy, etc. along with providing basic amenities such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and community centres. 
• Objective: To encourage residents to remain in border villages by providing better infrastructure and livelihood opportunities, enhancing border security and sustainable local development. 
  • The programme complements the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), which fills infrastructure gaps in border villages within 0–10 km of the international boundary in 16 states and 2 UTs. 
• Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II): 
  • The VVP-II has been launched for FY 2024–25 to 2028–29 with a budget of ₹6,839 crore to develop villages along international land borders (excluding the northern border).