President Pranab Mukherjee  launched Akashvani Maitree channel for Bengali listeners and its website, an initiative which will provide a platform for blending content both from India and Bangladesh and preserving Bengali culture.

“Akashvani Maitree and its multimedia website is a unique venture and initiative of All India Radio not only for the bengali listeners in West Bengal, Bangladesh and the adjoining areas but the entire Bengali speaking diaspora living in different parts of the globe.

Noting that India and Bangladesh are not just neighbours but are bound by an umbilical connection of ethnicity and kinship, the President said, “India always attaches highest importance to bilateral relations with Bangladesh because of our shared history, heritage, culture, language, physical proximity.”He said the two countries can play together an important role in the development and prosperity of the entire sub-continent and beyond.

The channel will be broadcast from a state-of-the-art brand new high power 1000Kw DRM transmitter with a capacity to reach the entire length and breadth of Bangladesh through medium wave and will be also available globally on its website and mobile app.