Northern India State Makes Hams Top Priority
/How lucky can a ham radio operator get? Having your state government actually SUBSIDISE your purchase of ham radio equipment? Pinch me, I must be dreaming! Well here’s why it’s happening in northern India, where ham radio is enjoying superstar status.
Amateur radio has been declared a top priority by the government of one state in northern India -- and officials plan to heavily subsidise ham radio stations to ensure they thrive and become a valuable resource.
Officials in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh plan to subsidise as much as 80 percent of the cost of amateur radio equipment for licensed hams, recognising amateur radio as a lifesaving means of alternative communication during disasters. The announcement by the Himalayan state's chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was made in the aftermath of a season of deadly landslides and devastating rainstorms.
“.... a lifeline when wire lines, cellphones and other conventional means of communication fail.”
He outlined a strategy in which at least one amateur radio volunteer would be available for emergency response in each of the state's subdivisions. Each of the volunteers would maintain radio contact with state and district emergency operation centres.
New ham radio clubs will also be established at schools and other educational institutions and can expect to receive government subsidies as well for promoting the training of new amateurs.
