BORDER PUBLICITY

The scheme of Border Publicity was started in 1966 utilising small performing parties of 10 artists each on an average composed of dancers, singers and musicians to project message on security, unity, national integration, defence publicity, patriotism etc. Besides the Border Publicity Troupes present plays, operas, folk songs, dancaes and other similar items with special reference to the cultural heritage of the region where the centres are located. The troupes have participated in various fairs and festivals, local cultural institutions, intensive publicity drives organised by Gram Panchayats, Educational Institutions, Information Departments of the State Governments, Family Welfare Departments, Social Welfare, various Labour Organisations, Railways etc. The performances are also arranged in Developmental projects established under Plan and Non Plan Schemes. The troupes have produced new items to cover subjects like Family Welfare, Prohibition, Untouchability, Village Uplift, National Integration, Communal Harmony, Social Reforms, Anti-Dowry, Upliftment of Women, Child care and Nutrition and have covered all types of audiences in rural and semi-urban areas. The troupes under this scheme are required to perform and have performed in the remote corners and on high altitude covering hilly and snowy regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Eastern Sectors in addition to desert region of Rajasthan located along International Borders. Such troupes are spread over seven training centres located at Darbhanga, Guwahati, Imphal, Jodhpur, Nainital, Simla and Srinagar for providing training and arrange performances in the areas falling under the territorial jurisdiction of their respective regional centres.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the border publicity scheme:-

    1. to break the mental isolation of the people of the area and to make them receptive;

    2. to convince the people that they also are an internal part of the nation;

    3. to convince them that they have much in their culture which the people from other parts of the country have to learn;

    4. to make them realise that it is in their own interest to stand together and repeal any hostile element which tends to create dissatisfaction and unrest;

    5. to make them understand that for their growth and development, they must contribute actively towards the growth of the nation and thus develop a national outlook which over-rides tribal and regional boundaries.