ITANAGAR | Oct 01 | Deputy Chief minister Chowna Mein, after launching local AIR’s extended ARUN FM transmission here today, lauded expansion of AIR to meet growing demands while shifting from analog to digital mode.
Pointing out that all AIR stations have been digitized now with improved broadcast quality, he recalled his long attachment with the AIR, saying the signature tune played during its launching has brought back old memories of listening to the news and songs in local dialects. Those days Dibrugarh AIR was only medium of entertainment and source of information for state people.
“They used to gather and keep the radio on long before the programme time and wait for the beeping of signature tune to listen to favourite programme every evening”. Cricket Commentary was also quite exciting and unforgettable, he said.
However, TV and other modern gadgets like the smart phones have with the passage of time and technological advancement dissuaded people from radio, he said and termed it as a great challenge to the AIR today to keep pace with the advancement of modern technology.
FMisation of programme broadcasting has brought a revolution in AIR and made it popular among the masses as it has easy access to the listeners through FM receivers in every car and mobile phones these days, Mein said.
Congratulating the AIR for successful launching of ARUN FM, he said that the GoAP will give all support to improve AIR services and hinted at urging GoI to set up radio stations with FM transmission in all districts.
He said that programme will be broadcast in 16 dialects with inclusion of three new local dialects – Hrusso, Sajolang and Tutsa and include news bulletin in 11 dialects besides updating hourly news headlines. Itanagar AIR is presently transmitting program on FM for almost 24X7 by relaying FM Vividh Bharati on its 100 Watt FM Transmitter which is fully enjoyed by the listeners of Capital Complex. He also informed that a new AIR station is coming up at Daporijo and Changlang soon.
He expressed confidence that AIR would continue to serve and entertain people with their sole motto “Bahujana Hitaya, Bahujana Sukhaya”.
Terming it an effective medium for dissemination of information on Govt activities, programmes and policies to the masses, he sought proposal to create provisions in next budget.
Radio is still used as popular medium of entertainment and source of information by illiterate villagers and people of remote places where news papers hardly reach, Hydropower Development Corporation chairman Tungri Effa said and urged the GoAP to set up AIR stations in remote districts to keep the masses inform about the development activities.
Programme head J B Nabam while highlighting on AIR’s 31-year journey said that it started in a kutcha house in 1986 in Naharlagun and later shifted to its present locations in 1996. Initially it started with 1 KW MW Transmitter and later it was upgraded to 200 MW.
DDK director (engineer) K Morang, AIR engineer head Sanjay Koul, senior radio artists Bengia Hemanta and Taba Yal Nabam also highlighted their experiences with AIR. (PRO)
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