Bombay high court on Monday batted for a dedicated education television channel for all students suffering internet connectivity issues particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The suggestion to the State and Centre was made by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni while hearing a PIL by National Association for the Blind. Its advocate Uday Warunjikar said visually challenged students face mobile connectivity issues in rural areas and stand to lose an academic year. There are 900 special schools in Maharashtra and include 200 schools for the visually challenged. “For the blind, there is no education at all,” he added.
“When I visit Nagpur or Aurangabad I do not get mobile network. As CJ if I do not get network, do you expect the rural population to get network?” the CJ asked.
“Otherwise we have hundreds of channels…many of movies and other entertainment. Why not an education channel? Not only for the disabled but also those who have suffered (during the pandemic). We have to go to old technology now,” said Justice Kulkarni.
The judges said reliance must not be placed on mobile networks and added that television and radio are satellite operated. “Every house has a TV in rural areas,” said Justice Kulkarni. The judges said Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have their own channels and in the near future judicial proceedings will be telecast live. “Why not the State and Union work hand in hand?” asked Justice Kulkarni. The judges also said people in rural areas may not have funds to purchase smartphones.
The judges said the State must get in touch with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In the order, they noted their suggestion that the State and Centre together explore imparting education through Akashvani and Doordarshan and for this purpose have a dedicated channel not only for the disabled but also those without disability particularly during the pandemic. The State has to respond on Thursday.
Surjitt Sahani
