Our correspondent
CHATTOGRAM, April 13: The state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV), Chattogram centre would gradually be turned into the country's second full-fledged and independent national television channel.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud disclosed this while inaugurating the nine-hour independent transmission programme of BTV Chattogram center on its premises at noon.
This centre will air programmes for 12 hours every day from December this year, he said.
The centre will broadcast programmes for nine hours daily from today the first day of Bengali new year (April 14).
Dr Hasan said the Information Ministry under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been able to go for nine-hour transmission by BTV Chattogram centre in only three months after he took the charge as the information minister.
The minister asked all concerned including artistes, technicians, producers and programmers to contribute more for enhancing quality of the programmes.
He said, "Not only time, the quality of the programmes of BTV will have to be increased."
Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) AJM Nasir Uddin addressed the function as special guest.
Secretary of the Ministry of Information Abdul Malek presided over the function while Director General of BTV SM Harunur Rashid also addressed.
Stressing the need for enhancement of the quality of the BTV programmes, the CCC mayor called upon the authorities and artistes to work for spreading the culture of Chattogram to the people of the world through the BTV Chattogram centre.
He said, "Chattogram has a cultural heritage. We have our own language, songs and literature etc. The region has diversified culture as many tribal communities live in greater Chattogram. Their culture and lives can be telecast through BTV Chattogram centre."
He said the expansion of transmission is needed in view of the importance of history, culture, heritage, tourism, sports, trade, commerce and education in Chattogram.
Information secretary Abdul Malek, in his presidential speech, urged the BTV employees, artistes, producers and programmers to work for the welfare of the people and state.
Members of Parliament (MPs) in Chattogram region, high government officials, politicians, freedom fighters, leaders of professional bodies and artistes among others attended the function.
Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina first inaugurated its one-hour transmission on December 19, 1996. Later the transmission was extended to one and a half hours.
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