For over a decade, Mann Ki Baat has served as a bridge between the Prime Minister of India and the people. Launched in 2014, the programme has become a national tradition, uniting citizens across regions, religions and generations. Through it, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares stories of courage, self-reliance and innovation, urging people to take pride in their local cultures and languages. It is a celebration of India’s diversity and a voice of unity in difference.
From its inception, Mann Ki Baat was envisioned not merely as a broadcast in Hindi but as a multilingual initiative. Through the vast network of All India Radio, the Prime Minister’s monthly address reaches homes in various regional languages, ensuring that the essence of his message resonates with people in their mother tongue. For millions, hearing the Prime Minister in their own language is not just communication, it is recognition and inclusion.
Yet, despite this noble intent, a recent development has left the Dogri-speaking community of Jammu deeply concerned. An RTI reply received from Akashvani Jammu has revealed that the station has no approved panel for the Dogri translation and broadcast of Mann Ki Baat. The revelation, contained in the official response to my RTI application (RTI Registration No. PRBHA/R/E/25/00737 dated 2 September 2025), has raised fresh questions about the treatment of Dogri in public broadcasting institutions that exist to serve linguistic diversity.
The purpose of my RTI was straightforward and constructive. I had sought clarity about how Dogri is being represented in the Prime Minister’s flagship programme. The questions were simple: Who are the panel members responsible for Dogri translation? What criteria were followed to select them? Who reviews and approves the translated content before it goes on air? Which announcers have been engaged to read the Dogri version? What initiatives have been taken by Akashvani Jammu to ensure smooth broadcasting? And finally, what payments have been made to those who contributed to this vital national task?
The reply, however, was brief and evasive. It stated that no panel exists for Dogri translation of Mann Ki Baat. It mentioned only one casual announcer, Shri Raj Kumar Sharma, who had read the Dogri version on an “as and when required” basis. No mention of his qualifications, period of engagement or expertise was made. When asked about payments made to casual assignees, the question was termed “unspecific”.
Such a reply does not align with the spirit of transparency that the Right to Information Act upholds. Nor does it match the sincerity and inclusiveness that the Mann Ki Baat programme represents. When a national broadcast speaks directly to citizens, every language deserves systematic attention, clear policy and professional execution.
For decades, Akashvani Jammu has been considered the cultural heartbeat of the Dogra region. It has produced some remarkable Dogri content in the past and has served as a platform for regional voices. However, in recent years, Dogri artistes, writers and announcers have often complained of neglect and inconsistent opportunities. This RTI reply, which confirms the absence of a proper Dogri panel, reinforces that perception.
Dogri is not just another regional language. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India, recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. It carries within it centuries of history, literature, theatre, folklore and oral traditions. From the poetry of Dinu Bhai Pant and Shivanath to the iconic works of Padma Sachdev, Dogri has shaped the cultural identity of Jammu. It is the rhythm of the Chenab, the pride of the Duggar land and the voice of its people.
Given such a strong cultural foundation, it is natural for Dogri speakers to expect that their language finds an equal place in national broadcasts. When the Prime Minister addresses the nation, Dogri listeners too deserve to hear his words in a well-translated, authentic version read by trained Dogri professionals. This is not a privilege being sought, but a constitutional and cultural right.It is disappointing that while Akashvani stations across India have structured panels for regional translations, Jammu has none. This not only undermines the importance of Dogri but also reflects an administrative gap that needs urgent correction. The absence of a systemised process leads to ad-hoc decisions, lack of transparency and limited opportunity for deserving local talent.Despite this, I write with hope rather than criticism. The purpose of raising this issue is not to attack institutions but to remind them of their responsibility. Akashvani Jammu still has time to correct the course. Establishing a Dogri translation and announcer panel for Mann Ki Baat would send a powerful message that regional languages matter, that Dogri is valued, and that every listener in Jammu has an equal right to participate in the national conversation.
The question also arises about Doordarshan Jammu. If Akashvani Jammu, which handles the radio version, lacks a formal structure for Dogri broadcasting, what about the television counterpart? It is a well-known fact that some officials of Akashvani are also associated with Doordarshan. If the same administrative pattern and attitudes are being carried over, there is a possibility that Doordarshan Jammu too may not have any structured mechanism for ensuring Dogri representation in programmes of national significance.
This is not an accusation but a concern rooted in observation. Both Akashvani and Doordarshan function under Prasar Bharati, and both have a mandate to promote regional culture and languages. Therefore, any lapse in one institution must be reviewed in the other. The Dogri-speaking community has every right to know whether Doordarshan Jammu, like Akashvani, also operates without a formal Dogri translation or production panel. Transparency in both institutions would build public trust and reaffirm the government’s commitment to linguistic diversity.
What makes the silence more surprising is that Mann Ki Baat itself has often celebrated the strength of local languages. The Prime Minister has repeatedly encouraged citizens to take pride in their mother tongues and to promote them in daily life. It is therefore ironic that the Dogri version of the very programme that advocates linguistic pride is being handled without a proper structure in Jammu, the land where Dogri was born.
The RTI was never intended as a confrontation. It was filed in good faith, guided by curiosity and cultural responsibility. The goal was to seek information, not to create controversy. Unfortunately, the incomplete nature of the reply reflects a lack of seriousness toward accountability. Yet, I continue to wait patiently for a full and transparent response.
It is heartening that the Government of India has, in recent years, emphasised regional languages in education, broadcasting and administration. The National Education Policy, for instance, gives high importance to mother tongues. Prasar Bharati too has the opportunity to lead by example. By giving Dogri its rightful platform within Mann Ki Baat, it can prove that no language is too small and no region is too distant to be heard.
The demand from the Dogri-speaking people is not unreasonable. All they seek is parity and recognition. A structured Dogri translation panel, fair opportunities for local announcers, transparent payment mechanisms and periodic audits can easily bring professionalism to the system. Such measures will not only enhance the quality of Dogri content but also inspire younger generations to take pride in their language.
Dogri has always been a language of warmth, wit and wisdom. Its proverbs, songs and stories reflect the strength and sensitivity of the people of Jammu. It deserves to be nurtured, not neglected. The inclusion of Dogri in a programme as prestigious as Mann Ki Baat would be a proud moment for every Dogra. It would show that the voice of Jammu resonates equally in the chorus of India’s unity.
The community continues to wait with hope and dignity. We still believe that Akashvani Jammu and Doordarshan Jammu will acknowledge these gaps and act responsibly. The RTI Act empowers citizens to ask questions, but it also offers institutions an opportunity to rebuild public confidence through transparency. A complete and honest response from Akashvani Jammu, followed by concrete steps toward reform, would turn this moment of concern into a story of revival.
Every episode of Mann Ki Baat begins with a message of inspiration. Let that inspiration also reach Jammu in its own voice, in its own Dogri. Let the people who live by the banks of the Tawi and Chenab hear their Prime Minister in their mother tongue, and let them feel equally included in the national dialogue.
Dogri does not ask for favour; it asks for fairness. It does not demand privilege; it seeks participation. The RTI journey continues, and the questions remain open. But there is faith that the answers will come, and when they do, they will mark the beginning of a new chapter in Jammu’s broadcasting history.
Until then, Dogri waits — not in anger, but in hope that the institutions built to serve the people will finally listen to the people, and to the language that carries their soul.
That will be the true spirit of Mann Ki Baat.

Email:--------------------------------salariayaseen@gmail.com