CBA 2006-INDIA: Commonwealth Needs More Publicity

Members countries of the Commonwealth have been urged to increase awareness and the profile of the Commonwealth.

The statement was made by the Chairman of the Prasar Bharati, M V Kamath at the opening of the 26th Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) in the Indian capital of New Delhi.

“I have realised that the Commonwealth arouses very little interest in among anyone I know,” Mr Kamath said. “That raises a very important question, 60 years Britain was anxious that India should remain in the Commonwealth. India gave an assurance that it would to the great relief of the British Government.”

“Presently the situation has changed. Membership to the Commonwealth has become more of a formality, something which is taken for granted,” he said.

Mr Kamath said that in this era of globalisation this was very sad and laid the challenge to the members of the CBA to increase the profile of the Commonwealth.

“Can we do something to inspire interest in this great international body, unique in its own way and cuts across continents, religions and cultures?”

“Does the Commonwealth have a role to play? I think it does. May I suggest something to you all? I think we need to popularise the Commonwealth. It can be done with the active corporation of our member countries,” the Chairman of the Prasar Bharati said.

“It can be done by devoting one hour each day for one week for each Commonwealth country on our Public Broadcast Channels.”

“In 52-weeks we can introduce 52-countries to our national viewer-ship, because a country is just not a name. It is people. We must introduce the people in all their glory to the member nations of the Commonwealth,” Mr Kamath said