Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Thursday, 20 August inaugurated the Broadcast and Digital Media Resource Centre at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) in Itanagar, urging the institution to deploy the facility as a tool for combating drug abuse among youth and amplifying women's economic success stories. The call echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day appeal to strengthen the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and advance the Lakhpati Didi initiative.

What Was Inaugurated

The new facility, housed in RGU's Department of Mass Communication, is a modern audio-visual production and training centre designed to support experiential learning, digital content creation, institutional communication, and professional media education. Mass Communication Assistant Professor Moji Riba described it as a comprehensive infrastructure built to equip students with hands-on skills across the full media production chain.

Notably, the inauguration itself served as the venue for the centre's first live telecast — a symbolic demonstration of its operational readiness from day one.

Governor's Vision for the Centre

Governor Parnaik emphasised that the facility is far more than a physical infrastructure upgrade. He said it must function as a hub for 'learning, creativity, communication and public service,' training students in broadcasting, production, editing, anchoring and visual storytelling.

He specifically called on the centre to produce well-researched programmes on drug abuse, corruption, environmental protection, public health, and social justice — issues he described as central to building 'a more informed, responsible and progressive society.'

Link to Nasha Mukt Bharat and Lakhpati Didi

The Governor drew a direct line between the centre's mandate and two national campaigns. He urged RGU to use the studio to highlight success stories of women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Lakhpati Didi framework, and to produce anti-drug awareness content targeting university-age youth — a demographic identified as particularly vulnerable in Arunachal Pradesh.

By showcasing local role models and community-driven development efforts, he said, the centre could inspire young people to adopt productive lifestyles and encourage greater women's participation in economic activities.

Building on Earlier Milestones

Governor Parnaik recalled the inauguration of RGU's Community Radio Station, Radio Rono 91.2 FM, on 11 August 2023, describing the two assets together as evidence of the university's 'steady progress' in public communication infrastructure. He said both initiatives would have a far-reaching impact on higher education, public awareness, and the broader development of Arunachal Pradesh.

With the media centre now operational, RGU is expected to begin rolling out content campaigns in the coming academic semester, potentially extending its reach beyond the campus through digital and broadcast channels.