Russia is ready to expand radio broadcasting to India in local languages, Russia’s prime minister Vladimir Putin stated during his video link with India. “ I’m glad that India is interested in what is going on in Russia and the features of the Voice of Russia are popular”, Vladimir Putin said answering one of the questions.
The Voice of Russia radio is broadcasting to South Asia in Hindi and Urdu but used to broadcast in all Indian languages during Soviet times. “It’s sad that now broadcasting to India is only in two languages. Russia’s government has to work in this direction”, Mr Putin said.
(Source: Voice of Russia)
on Mar 14th, 2010 at 09:57
The Voice of Russia didn’t broadcast in any languages in the Soviet times. But Radio Moscow used to have quite a few Indian languages in its schedule.
I remember that some people at the Soviet external service doubted such a comprehensive approach. The idea was to provide a better coverage in fewer Indian languages + English, to appeal to Indian elites.
Well, now VoR has just two language services targeting India. (No special Indian service in English.) But I doubt if coverage - both in terms of programming and technical aspects - is any better.