AIR to revive community radio

Special Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA: After a gap of nearly 32 years, efforts are being made to revivethe community radio set movement. All India Radio, Vijayawada, StationDirector Mangalagiri Aditya Prasad said that a community radio set was goingto be installed at the Gudivada Municipality Park (adjacent to the MunicipalStadium) on Friday.The community radio set movement died a natural death in 1975 unable to facethe onslaught of television. Efforts were being made to revive the movementon an experimental basis, Mr Prasad said. A community radio set would be installed at the municipal park inassociation with the Gudivada Jaycees Club. A dilapidated room that housedthe radio set earlier would be renovated and a new radio set with aloudspeaker would be installed , he said. Hundreds of morning-walkers whocome everyday to the municipal stadium adjoining the park would listen tothe AIR programmes, he said.Prasara Bharathi would also launch a 42-day campaign on October 2, the birthanniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The campaign would continue till November 12,the Public Service Broadcasting day. Radio Prachara Sabhas would be held aspart of this in all the five districts that fall in the footprint of theVijayawada Radio Station to promote the programmes of AIR.Rallies would be conducted during the campaign with popular radio artistesaddressing 'radio fans' in 'radio prachara ratham', he said.The Vijayawada AIR station would be celebrating its 60th anniversary nextyear with several special programmes, Mr Prasad said.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/11/stories/2008091155000700.htm