SHILLONG: Unlike other states promoting their favourite destinations through private news channels and other media, the state tourism department is exploring ways and means to tie up with Doordarshan to promote tourist places and cultural centres in Meghalaya.
The urgency to project Meghalaya at different levels arose following the unrest in the city in June over the Sweepers’ Lane issue.
“We lost many tourists in June due to the unrest and we want to make up for the losses,” Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh said.
Metbah, along with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and others, had met Prasar Bharati chairman Surya Prakash on July 19 at his office in Delhi to carry forward the discussion on promoting culture and tourism potential of Meghalaya.
Earlier, during the July 5 meeting in Shillong with Prakash, the chief minister had suggested the need to discuss ways and means to promote tourism through publicity campaigns in DD and AIR.
The chief minister had also apprised the Prasar Bharati chief of the need to have a dedicated channel for Meghalaya to cater to the needs of the people here.
“Besides meeting the Prasar Bharati chairman, we also met the DG, Doordarshan and other officials. The intention is to make popular Meghalaya’s tourist destinations in the nook and corner of the country and even at international level,” he said.
According to Metbah, as a follow up, the Directors of Tourism and Doordarshan will meet to work out the best format to promote Meghalaya.
To a question as to why Doordarshan was chosen, Metbah said this medium reaches the nook and corner of the country and even abroad.
