New Delhi: With a view to encourage distance learning, Government today (Jan 26, 2004) said it would endeavour to make available educational channels to students residing in far-flung areas of the country through Direct-To-Home (DTH).

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated this at a function at which exclusive higher education channel 'Gyan Darshan' and 'Gyan Vani' FM radio stations were launched in the four metros of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.

The channels and the FM radio stations were launched by Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, who announced that 'Gyan Darshan' would be named after sage Ved Vyasa, author of the epic Mahabharata.

Prasad's statement followed a plea earlier made by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) vice chancellor H P Dikshit that DTH television services be made available for the benefit of students in remote areas to help them access educational channels.

He also wanted 'Gyan Darshan' channels to be made "must carry channels" for the cable operators to help them reach cable homes.

The I and B Minister urged Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan and All India Radio to continue with their good work and lay more stress on education.