Wednesday 24 December 2014

Former PM Shri Atal BIhari Vajpayee
at an AIR children's
programme recording in 2000

F. Sheheryar,
DG, AIR













ATAL, THE AJAATSHATRU
                                                                      (AIR captures facets, some of them little known)


Atal Bihari Vajpayee, freedom fighter, parliamentarian, Prime Minister, visionary, poet, indeed a multi-faceted personality, is a name to conjure with when one is talking about world leaders that left an indelible mark on history of nations and world leaders. 
              
            Atal Ji, as he is fondly called, is enemy to none, a quality that endeared him to the people at large.  As a true karmayogi, he focused on development per se rather than politicizing development which tends to impede progress.  His style of good governance – unobtrusive and yet effective – had an imprint of his personality and is worth emulating by every leader irrespective of his/her political affinities and ideological predilections.  A grateful nation is observing the 25th December as the Good Governance Day.

Eradication of illiteracy was another goal close to his heart and he contributed a lot to popularizing school admission through his own methods to arrest the drop-out level of children which created a nation-wide buzz----- ‘School Chalein Hum’.

            His vision in consolidating the Indian Diaspora and people of Indian origin to help the country making rapid strides on the path of development will always be remembered.  He was the one who hailed Mahatma Gandhi as the first Pravaasi Bharatiya who had returned to India to lead the freedom struggle.  India celebrates the Pravaasi Bharatiya Diwas every year, to rekindle the interest of all non-resident Indians and PIOs in addressing the problems that bedevil the country. 

            All India Radio is putting out a plethora of programmes over its vast national network on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.  The Organization, with its love for the legendary leader, has abandoned the beaten track to put out programmes in a style that is non-conformist and suited to the demands of modern sound Broadcasting and contemporary milieu.

            We wish him long life and many more years of guidance to us all.


This article is a contribution by F. Sheheryar, Director General, All India Radio 

Tuesday 28 October 2014

ASIA PACIFIC BROADCASTING UNION : OPPORTUNITIES REGAINED





When our PM gained world attention by his recent high profile visits, the message was clear to world Community.  India is no more a follower and her aspirations are global in thinking and reach. ISRO's Mangalyaan to Mars reinforced its position of authority unambiguously.  Clearance of Pending Defence ventures is a sharp step forward to break away from deplorable delays of past.  It is a matter of  time that bigger investments get attracted to strengthen the country's economic base to its full advantage in the near future with all round stability.

       Going by the spirit of meaningful presence and authority to achieve higher deliverables in world fora, India needs to be part of decision making in Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union(ABU), a non profit, non govt. professional association of Broadcasters where India is a founder member since 1964 with AIR and Doordarshan. ABU has 264 members in 61 countries reaching a potential audience of 3.5 billion people providing a forum promoting collective interests of TV and Radio broadcasters internationally funded primarily by members, ABU remains the hub of harmonisation of technical broadcasting standards and systems, skill and technological development as also information exchange.ABU is the third largest of world's eight broadcasting unions, representing largest geographic region  in the world. Its Sports Department negotiates TV rights for major sporting events like Olympics and Asian Games,World Football Cup besides several other related activities.Prasar Bharati(PB)has immense stakes in ABU as India's national public service broadcaster.

       ABU's real worth fading out from PB's memory and withdrawal from international cooperation and leadership  when its CEO left Vice Presidentship in 2006 was hardly noticed in India.  With loosened grip and brewing internal disturbance, PB, which pays Rs 50 Lakhs annual subscription, was not even represented in ABU's general assembly held in Tokyo and  hence conveniently lost the vacant seat of Vice President to Pakistan by default in 2010. To add agony to PB in internal disquiet, Sports Rights which were earlier offered to PB on exclusive basis were unbundled and given only 'free to air rights'  to accommodate ESPN thus ending long and continued spell of exclusivity.  The reason, none from PB was deputed  when the Sports Group Body of ABU was discussing acquisition of rights for Asian Games 2010! It is tragic that India hosted ABU's General Assembly in 2011 after 15 years in a routine, officious and less concerned mode with minimal participation and missing both the posts of Vice Presidency and a seat Membership on the Council.  In 2012, President of Korea inaugurated ABU's General Assembly in  Seoul and called all the Big Eight members for a private tete-tete, but in 2011 PB could not even impress upon our I&B Minister to inaugurate the Session in Delhi.

       In an attempt to regain lost glory and opportunities , Jawhar Sircar, CEO, PB led a three members contingent to Seoul General Assembly in 2012 and got Doordarshan re-elected as technical bureau member and AIR to ABU Administrative Council unanimously.  Rightfully, being member of Administrative Council, PB then eligible for ABU Vice President was however  trounced by Turkey Radio And Television Corporation which had taken a delegation of 20 against India's two.  PB had no chance at all when all the countries like Myanmar, SriLanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Macau and Hong Kong take 4 to 18 delegates to canvass and manage better deliverables. NHK Japan had  41 delegates, Korea 21 and China 22 in Hanoi General Assembly in 2013.

For the current Macau Convention and General Assembly, Prasar Bharati deputed its CEO, Shri Jawhar Sircar. Even this year the delegation has been only of two members with one adviser.  The delegation from other member countries are much larger.  The major countries like Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea have 40+ delegates and also delegates from smaller countries are pretty big – Malaysia-30, Srilanka-9, Afghanistan 8, Bhutan-5, Bangladesh -7, Mangolia-7, Thailand-35, Turkmenistan 15, Kazakstan-6, Singapore-13.  

Defying all odds of practically no canvassing time, Shri Jawhar Sircar, CEO, Prasar Bharati, has won Vice- Presidentship which is attributable to India’s emerging image heralded by conspicuous  and bold initiatives of our Prime Minister and administrative acumen of seasoned CEO, Prasar Bharati.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Swachh Bharat: Narendra Modi set to launch pet project

Come Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose cleanliness drive has echoed through the Red Fort and the corridors of the United Nation General Assembly, will launch Swachh Bharat campaign, with top politicians and babus leading the way. FILE - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Capitol Hill in Washington. AP PhotoFILE - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Capitol Hill in Washington. AP Photo 
Modi will launch Swachh Bharat campaign from Boat Club area on Rajpath in New Delhi on Thursday morning. A road walkathon will be flagged off.  Rajpath will be closed from 5 am till noon on October 2.
According to reports, those who take part in the launch include five thousand school children, college and university students, government officials, diplomats, expats and corporate houses' representatives.
The prime minister, who would administer the Cleanliness Pledge to children and others,  will also take part in the walkathon.
While ministers such as Uma Bharati and Ravi Shankar Prasad are travelling to different cities to promote the campaign, the government offices will administer the cleanliness pledge at 9.45 am on Thursday.
OFFICES CLOSED
All central government offices in South Block, North Block and ShastriBhawan among others are being closed on Wednesday at 2 PM.
Besides them, offices situated in Rail Bhawan, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan and Vigyan Bhawan are also being closed early, said an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).President Barack Obama escorts Indian Prime Minister Narendra ModiFILE - President Barack Obama escorts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington. AP Photo
The offices will remain closed in connection with the arrangements for the nation-wide launch of 'Swachh Bharat' (Clean India) campaign by Modi.
These offices will remain closed between 2 pm on Wednesday till 10.30 am on October 2, the order said.
The offices in CSIR building, Reserve Bank of India, Yojna Bhawan, National Archives, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, National Media Centre, Jawahar Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, Sena Bhawan, National Museum, Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, CCA, Ministry of Agriculture, 16-A, Akbar Road, DRDO Bhawan, Raksha Bhawan, National Stadium, Hyderabad House and Coast Guard HQ are also being closed early.Prime Minister Narendra ModiFILE - Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. AP Photo
"Government offices located in Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House would remain closed from 10 PM on October 1, 2014 till 10.30 AM on October 2, 2014," the DoPT order said.
MODI TO WEILD BROOM
It's been a clean-up week in central government offices with cobwebs being cleaned up, corridor clutter removed, old furniture discarded or overhauled, and office environs spruced up, tidied and polished like never before.
Modi will now symbolically wield a broom and reach out to all Indians to make cleanliness a mass movement by launching the Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission.
Its launch Oct 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, has a lot of significance as Father of the Nation had a penchant for cleanliness in his personal habits and sought to promote it in his environs in every way.
Modi intends to involve every citizen in the task of cleanliness.
India fares poorly in access to toilets, especially in its semi-urban and rural areas, while its urban areas face problems related to hygiene and poor sanitation standards. Garbage disposal and hygiene standards in many commercial establishments leave much to be desired.
According to Census 2011, only 32.70 per cent of rural households had access to toilets.
According to a UN report released this year, India continues to have the largest number of people in the world defecating in the open.
Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement, said Indians were clean as individuals but had "nasty habits" as a community in matters of sanitation.
"People spit betel juice, throw waste on roads, women at times throw household waste near their homes, shopkeepers dump garbage on roads after closing their establishments," says Pathak.
"The responsibility of cleaning is only with the municipal staff," he told IANS recently. "Naturally, there will be dirt and squalor."
Most people feel that since Modi was giving a personal push to sanitation, it would have an impact.
Apart from steps to end open defecation, the Modi government has to initiate measures towards effective solid waste management, bring about a behavioural change in people regarding sanitary practices and improve health parameters.
States too are deciding their programmes for Oct 2.
Kerala Minister for Municipalities Manjalamkuzhi Ali said the state will launch a campaign Oct 2 to collect plastic. "We expect to get about 1,000 tonnes of plastic and it would be sent to plastic processing factories."
Modi has made "Clean India" a top priority - speaking about it at all his major speeches, including his Independence Day address.
He has said that a "clean India" will be the best tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.
Modi will visit Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi - Oct 2 to pay his respects and later visit a Dalit colony. He would visit India Gate and launch the nationwide mission.
In his message to coincide with the launch of cleanliness campaign week Sep 25, Modi urged each citizen to devote at least 100 hours a year (two hours every week) towards cleanliness.
"On Oct 2, I myself will set out with a broom and contribute towards this pious task," Modi said.
He appealed to political and religious leaders, mayors, sarpanches and captains of industry to wholeheartedly engage in the task of cleaning up homes, work places, villages, cities and surroundings.
The ministry of drinking water and sanitation sought the participation of states in the Swatchh Bharat campaign.
The decision to launch the mission Oct 2 may have caused some heartburn as government servants would be expected in their offices on a public holiday to take a cleanliness pledge.
For students, required to come to schools, Gandhi Jayanti will not be a holiday they are used to.
The Delhi government has asked all government and government-aided schools to function for two hours Oct 2 to ensure active participation by students in the launch of mission.
Various government departments and institutions such as Delhi Metro have initiated steps to improve sanitation as part of cleanliness campaign. The central government is observing cleanliness campaign week Sep 25-Oct 2.

गांधी जयंती की पूर्व संध्‍या पर राष्‍ट्रपति का राष्‍ट्र के नाम संदेश


राष्‍ट्रपति श्री प्रणब मुखर्जी ने कल मनाई जाने वाली गांधी जयंती के अवसर पर राष्‍ट्र के नाम निम्‍नलिखित संदेश जारी किया है – 

अपने संदेश में राष्‍ट्रपति ने कहा है, ‘राष्‍ट्रपिता महात्‍मा गांधी की जयंती हम सबके लिए बापू के सत्‍य, अहिंसा और सर्वांगीण विकास के आदर्शों के प्रति खुद को पुन: समर्पित करने का अवसर है। 

गांधीजी के नेतृत्‍व ने स्‍वतंत्रता और स्‍वाधीनता के लिए लाखों लोगों को एकजुट होने के वास्‍ते प्रेरित किया। उन्‍होंने हमें डर के खिलाफ दृढ़ता से खड़े होना, सत्‍य का महत्‍व समझना तथा अपनी मातृभूमि की बेहतरी के लिए कार्य करना भी सिखाया। 

गांधीजी का विश्‍वास था कि स्‍वच्‍छता में ही ईश्‍वर का वास होता है। आइये आज के दिन हम सभी स्‍वच्‍छता राष्‍ट्रीय उत्‍साह में परिवर्तित करने का संकल्‍प लें। प्रत्‍येक सड़क, प्रत्‍येक मार्ग, प्रत्‍येक कार्यालय, प्रत्‍येक घर, प्रत्‍येक झोपड़ी, प्रत्‍येक नदी और हमारे ईद-गिर्द हवा का प्रत्‍येक अंश अवश्‍य स्‍वच्‍छ होना चाहिए। 

मैं प्रत्‍येक भारतीय से आह्वान करता हूं कि वे सरकार द्वारा स्‍वच्‍छता, कचरा प्रबंधन और साफ-सफाई के लिए देशभर में शुरू किए गए स्‍वच्‍छ भारत अभियान को सफल बनाने के लिए हर संभव प्रयास करें। मैं वर्ष 2019 तक- महात्‍मा गांधी की 150वीं जयंती पर, हरेक घर में शौचालय बनाने के लक्ष्‍य से संबंधित सभी लोगों से कड़ी मेहनत करने का भी आह्वान करता हूं। 



यह आकाशवाणी है, अब पीएम बात करेंगे

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने तय किया है कि वह हर पखवाड़े रेडियो के जरिये लोगों से संवाद करेंगे। उनके इस फैसले से आकाशवाणी को अपनी रिब्रांडिंग होने की उम्मीद दिख रही है।

आकाशवाणी के जरिये लोगों से पीएम की बातचीत की शुरुआत 3 अक्टूबर से होगी।

 जब देश में मास कम्युनिकेशन के साधनों की कमी थी, उस वक्त आकाशवाणी ही लोगों के लिए सूचना का बड़ा स्रोत हुआ करता था।

हालांकि, पहले दूरदर्शन, फिर प्राइवेट टीवी चैनलों और बाद में प्राइवेट एफएम रेडियो ने इस सरकारी रेडियो ब्रॉडकास्टर को हाशिये पर धकेल दिया। राजनेता जहां टीवी के जरिये अपनी बात रखना पसंद करते हैं, वहीं रेडियो एंटरटेनमेंट के नाम पर लोगों ने प्राइवेट एफएम चैनलों से नाता जोड़ लिया है। 

पीएम ने केवल आकाशवाणी के जरिये लोगों से बात करने का जो फैसला किया है, उससे इस सरकारी रेडियो ब्रॉडकास्टर की ओर लोगों का ध्यान जरूर मुड़ेगा।

आकाशवाणी ने भी इसके लिए पूरी तैयारी में है।

इससे वाकिफ अधिकारियों ने बताया कि पीएम के सरकारी आवास 7 रेसकोर्स रोड में आकाशवाणी का एक स्टूडियो बनाया जा रहा है। यहां उसी तरह की सुविधाएं होंगी, जो अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति के ओवल ऑफिस में हैं। एक अधिकारी ने बताया, 'ऑप्टिकल फाइबर बिछाया जा चुका है।'

पीएम की यह चैट तकरीबन पूरे देश में सुनी जाएगी। आकाशवाणी की ब्रैंड इमेज भले ही कमजोर हुई हो, यह अब भी देश में सबसे ज्यादा एरिया कवर करता है।

ऑल इंडिया रेडियो की पहुंच देश की 99.20% आबादी तक है। देश के 92.6% भूभाग को यह कवर करता है। 

एआईआर के डायरेक्टर जनरल एफ शहरयार ने कहा, 'प्रधानमंत्री और राष्ट्रपति गणतंत्र दिवस या स्वतंत्रता दिवस के मौके पर या कोई आपदा आने की स्थिति में ही रेडियो का उपयोग करते थे। इस बार मामला अलग है। हमें बताया गया है कि पीएम हर पखवाड़े एक बार आकाशवाणी के जरिये लोगों से बातचीत करेंगे।'

इस काम में दूरदर्शन भी हाथ बंटाएगा। देश के 90% हिस्से तक पहुंच रखने वाला दूरदर्शन एआईआर की ऑडियो फीड प्रसारित करेगा।

 अधिकारियों ने बताया कि प्राइवेट एफएम चैनल भी एआईआर की फीड प्रसारित कर सकते हैं। हालांकि, इसकी आधिकारिक पुष्टि नहीं हो सकी है।

रेडियो के जरिये नियमित रूप से संवाद की शुरुआत अमेरिका के प्रेसिडेंट फ्रैंकलिन डी रूजवेल्ट ने की थी। तब रेडियो की वही हैसियत थी, जो आज टीवी की है।

महामंदी और द्वितीय विश्व युद्ध के असर से जूझ रहे अमेरिकियों से बातचीत में रूजवेल्ट ने रेडियो को जरिया बनाया था। अमेरिकी प्रेजिडेंट रोनाल्ड रीगन ने 1982 में इस परंपरा को दोबारा शुरू किया। मौजूदा अमेरिकी प्रेजिडेंट बराक ओबामा हर हफ्ते विडियो चैट करते हैं। 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do radio chats; AIR hopes of brand revival


This is All India Radio... the Prime Minister will now speak... 

Akashvani, once an information lifeline to a poor, communications challenged country, is hoping that fortnightly prime ministerial radio chats with the nation will remake its brand. The first of Narendra Modi's Akashvani-only chats will happen on October 3, this Friday. 

First Doordarshan, then private television channels and subsequently private FM radio had reduced the sarkari radio broadcaster to the fringes of the broadcasting game. Politicians prefer TV and radio entertainment, which basically means private FM channels. 

The PM's unusual decision to talk to Indians only via Akashvani guarantees high degrees of national attention. 

The regular periodicity — once a fortnight — the suggested informal nature of his address, the fact that the PM intends to invite suggestions from citizens, combined with Modi's rhetorical abilities, will be a big draw, so the sarkari radio broadcaster hopes. And Akashvani is taking no chances. 

Officials familiar with preparations who spoke on the condition they not be identified told ETthat the broadcaster is setting up a studio inside the PM's official residence, 7, Race Course Road. This in-house studio facility, incidentally, is the same arrangement the US president's Oval Office has. "The last mile optical fibre has already been laid," says a person close to the development. 

The PM's chats will reach almost all of India. Though suffering in terms of its brand image, Akashvani retains the distinction of having the largest geographical reach — All India Radio reaches 99.20% of India's population and covers 92.6% of the country's area. 

Doordarshan to carry AIR's audio feed 

AIR officials have found particular significance in the PM's use of a radio chat that's regular and not confined to special or calamitous occasions. 

"PMs and presidents have used the radio on occasions such as the Republic Day or the Independence Day or during a calamity. This is something different," says F Sheheryar, director-general of AIR. "We are told he will be doing this once every fortnight." 

Doordarshan, the state TV broadcaster, will act as a force multiplier for AIR's broadcast of Modi chats. DD, with a 90% all-India reach, will carry AIR's audio feed. Officials say private FM channels may also carry AIR's feed. ET could not independently confirm this. 

Regular radio chats were first used by US President Franklin D Roosevelt. His fireside radio chats, which came at a time the radio was what TV is today, are considered to have been a very effective means of communication. 

Americans at that time had to cope with effects of the Great Depression and World War II. 

US President Ronald Reagan, ex-Hollywood actor and considered a master communicator, revived the tradition of radio chats in 1982. Current White House incumbent Barack Obama is more attuned to technology - his weekly chats are on video. 

But many broadcasting professionals argue the radio is on a comeback. "All over the world there is a swing back to the radio," says Jawhar Sircar, CEO, Prasar Bharati. "That is because radio is a non-intrusive medium, doesn't consume all your senses." The advantage of radio may be that it works as a medium even when it's in the background - a quality appreciated in a world where everything from TV to Twitter demands full attention when one accesses them for information. 

Abraham Koshy, professor of marketing at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad says radio is a powerful medium but hasn't been used effectively by anyone so far. 

"Radio is very subtle. It touches the heart. An address by Modi through the radio is a good idea as he will be able to reach almost all of India," says KP Singh Deo, former information and broadcasting minister in a Congress government in the 1990s. 


Sircar says Modi's chats are "a unique opportunity for us to showcase the potential of radio." However much of AIR's radio infrastructure today is still geared towards analogue medium wave (MW) signals. MW's reach is more, but quality is low. 

Sircar says a massive plan is underway to send all content that they have on MW parallely to FM. The problem, however, is that for every one MW coverage circle, AIR would need to set up five FM coverage circles. 



Tuesday 30 September 2014

Here is all you should know about PM's 'Man ki Baat'



Prime Minister Narendra Modi's highly anticipated first radio address will be aired on October 3 on All India Radio (AIR) and various other radio networks.

The Prime Minister, aims at reaching maximum number of people through his radio programmed titled 'Man ki Baat'.

Here is all you should know about PM's 'Man ki Baat' The programme may be recorded on October 2 and aired by AIR at 11 am on October 3.

Through his 50-minute-long speech the prime minister will also wish the nation on occasion of the Dussehra festival. The programme will be broadcast on the entire AIR network while Doordarshan is planning to carry the contents of the programme along with suitable footage.

The PM's first outing on radio may dominate the entire broadcasting space as it will also be run by all FM and community radio stations across country.

The public service broadcasters are planning to provide the audio feed and visuals free of cost to all private radio channels as well as news channels.

AIR will prepare a transcript of PM's address, which is likely to be in Hindi, to be later translated into 24 regional languages and 16 foreign ones.

AIR would repeat the telecast in regional languages on its regional channels on the evening of October 3.

Indian missions have also been asked to make arrangements so that the PM's speech is heard in countries abroad.

As per AIR DG F Sheheryar Prime Minister choosing the public service broadcaster for this unique purpose was a "great encouragement".

The programme are expected to be variously dubbed as "Ghar Ghar mein Modi" or "PM jan jan ke saath".

Prime Minister is expected to respond to some of the feedback received from people on his website www.mygov.in

PM Modi's radio show will be first such programme in the last three decades.

Earlier, PM Indira Gandhi, until her assassination in 1984, regularly used AIR to talk to the nation.

Experts also feel that PM's clear diction in Hindi makes his voice perfect for a radio programme.

Since, radio and FM stations have a far wider reach, than any other mass media in the country, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is already assured of its success.

पीएम नरेंद्र मोदी तीन अक्तूबर को रेडियो पर करेंगे 'मन की बात'



प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी का आगामी तीन अक्तूबर को आकाशवाणी के जरिए होने वाला पहला रेडियो संबोधन उस दिन पूरे इलेक्ट्रानिक मीडिया में छाया रह सकता है। अधिकारियों ने कहा कि 'मन की बात' नामक शीषर्क से होने वाले इस संबोधन को आकाशवाणी द्वारा दो अक्तूबर को रिकॉर्ड किया जाएगा।

यह कार्यक्रम तीन अक्तूबर को आकाशवाणी के संपूर्ण नेटवर्क पर सुबह 11 बजे से प्रसारित होगा। अधिकारियों ने कहा कि दूर्शन भी इसे सटीक फुटेज के साथ प्रसारित करने की योजना बना रहा है।

सूत्रों ने कहा कि सार्वजनिक प्रसारक सभी निजी रेडियो चैनलों और समाचार एवं समसामायिक चैनलों को ऑडियो फीड मुफ्त में प्रदान करने की योजना बना रहा है ताकि यह सभी माध्यमों के जरिए प्रसारित हो सके। उन्होंने कहा कि यह उम्मीद है कि प्रधानमंत्री के 'मन की बात' देश में अधिक से अधिक लोगों तक पहुंचेगी।

एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने कहा कि प्रधानमंत्री के संबोधन की रिकॉर्डिंग के बाद आकाशवाणी एक प्रतिलिपि तैयार करेगा जिसका क्षेत्रीय भाषाओं में अनुवाद किया जाएगा। आकाशवाणी तीन अक्तूबर की शाम क्षेत्रीय चैनलों पर संबोधन का फिर से प्रसारण करेगा।

आकाशवाणी के महानिदेशक एफ शहरयार ने कहा कि यह 'बड़े प्रोत्साहन' की बात है कि प्रधानमंत्री ने इस सरकारी प्रसारण सेवा को चुना है।

दूरदर्शन के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने कहा कि इस बात पर विचार किया जा रहा कि इस संबोधन का प्रसारण कैसे बेहतर से बेहतर ढंग से किया जा सकता है।
साभार :http://khabar.ndtv.com/news/india/mann-ki-baat-pm-modis-first-radio-address-on-october-3-672668

Monday 29 September 2014

'Man Ki Baat': PM Modi's First Radio Address on October 3 may dominate the entire broadcasting space

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first radio address, to be carried on October 3 on All India Radio, may dominate the entire broadcasting space as audio and visuals are likely to be carried on all FM and community radio stations along with news and current affairs TV channels.

Officials said the programme titled 'Man ki Baat' may be recorded on October 2.

The programme will be broadcast on the entire AIR network at 11 am on October 3 while Doordarshan is planning to carry the contents of the programme along with suitable footage, officials added.

Sources said the public service broadcasters are planning to provide the audio feed and visuals free of cost to all private radio channels as well as news and current affairs channels which express interest in the footage.

They said it is hoped the Prime Minister's 'Man ki Baat' programme should reach the maximum number of people in the country.

A senior official said that post recording of Mr Modi's address, the All India Radio (AIR) will prepare a transcript to be later translated in regional languages. The AIR would repeat the telecast in regional languages on its regional channels on the evening of October 3, the official said.

When contacted, AIR DG F Sheheryar said it was a "great encouragement" that the Prime Minister had chosen the public service broadcaster.

A senior Doordarshan official said they were considering options on how best to telecast the event.

Officials said people who are interested in conveying their thoughts, ideas or questions to Mr Modi should do it through the Mygov website. The Prime Minister, they said, is expected to respond to some of the feedback received from people on the website.


Saturday 27 September 2014

Modi pilots live radio show to reach the masses

Twitter-savvy Prime Minister Narendra Modi is turning to the country's oldest radio station to make his voice heard even in the farthest Himalayan hamlets and most distant deserts.

On Oct. 3, Modi will go live on public service All India Radio (AIR) from New Delhi for about 50 minutes, in a pilot of a show he hopes will become a weekly opportunity to reach up to two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion people.

The maiden radio broadcast, announced on the website mygov.in, will be quickly translated into 24 Indian languages and 16 foreign ones.
"We are still working on how to get everything arranged," said a senior official at the radio station known for news broadcasts delivered in a cut-glass English accent.

"None of the prime ministers in the last three decades have used our services in this manner."

Although eclipsed in recent years by satellite television, radio is still the main source of news and information for many Indians, particularly in rural areas.
Modi has assiduously used Facebook and Twitter, where he has about 6.4 million followers, to bypass the news media and communicate his thoughts, spurring editors to complain about a lack of two-way communication and debate.

Since taking office in May, the 64-year old leader has cut back on access for India's lively commercial news media, and stepped up the role of state television broadcaster Doordarshan in getting his message heard.

Indira Gandhi, prime minister for four terms spanning the late sixties until her assassination in 1984, was the last leader to have regularly used AIR to talk to the nation.

Many Indians say Modi is the first prime minister since Gandhi to use charisma and communication skills to carve out a more personalized leadership role.

Officials at India's broadcast ministry said Modi was keen to turn the radio address into an interactive session soon and would like to take questions from citizens.

Modi made an interactive broadcast on Teachers' Day this month that was viewed in schools nationwide.

Hundreds of AIR employees across India will monitor Modi's first address to avoid glitches in the live broadcast, variously dubbed "Ghar Ghar mein Modi" ("Modi in Every Home") or "PM jan jan ke saath" ("The Prime Minister is with Everyone").

Modi's clear diction in Hindi would make him ideal for radio, said one AIR journalist who asked not to be identified. AIR is the only radio station India permits to broadcast news.

Source and Credit:http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/09/24/india-modi-broadcasting-radio-air-idINKCN0HJ1C120140924

Teachers’ Day talk over, PM turns on radio

New Delhi, Sept. 25: Narendra Modi’s office today asked All India Radio to make arrangements for the Prime Minister’s first radio talk on October 3 but some listeners could end up with a bonus — an “audiovisual” experience across even private channels.

A government source said the PMO wants “every electronic vehicle”, including national broadcaster Doordarshan and private television and radio channels, apart from all AIR mediums, to carry the Vijaya Dashami-day address to the nation that will be recorded a day earlier.

“Not only has AIR been asked to ensure the grand success of the special transmission, the information and broadcasting ministry has also been asked to issue an advisory to private TV channels and FM radio channels to carry the Prime Minister’s message,” the official said.

“The Prime Minister wants to connect with the masses through every possible medium. Though this would be an audio message of about 20 minutes, channels can play pre-recorded visuals of the Prime Minister along with it. But it won’t be an interactive talk, the Prime Minister will speak on issues concerning various areas of governance.”

Sources said it would be the first time private electronic media would be “advised” to carry a special broadcast that is not part of occasions such as Independence Day and Republic Day.

Earlier this month, on Teachers’ Day, Modi had addressed and interacted with students through a first-of-its-kind video link-up. Then, too, the government had asked schools across the country to make arrangements for the telecast and ensure that students sat through it.

Following protests, the government had clarified that whether schools showed the event or not was “completely voluntary”, but many schools didn’t take chances.

About the October 3 broadcast, called PM on Radio, the government source said the advisory would be issued soon. “We can’t ensure the broadcast is carried by the private electronic media as they are not controlled by the government but we will issue an advisory to news and current affairs channels and private FM radio in a day or two,” the official said.

The highlights of the address would be propagated through various platforms on social media. To get people interested enough to tune in, a cross-media publicity blitz will start from tomorrow.

The radio programme — the first in a series of planned fortnightly broadcasts by Modi, according to AIR sources — wouldn’t have any specific topic. But the PMO has asked AIR officials to prepare a list of topics, including economic development, employment generation, education, women’s safety, foreign policy and people’s participation in governance, following suggestions on the website mygov.nic.in that the government launched about two months back.

Hundreds of AIR employees across the country will monitor the address to avoid glitches in the live broadcast, which will be translated into 13 regional languages for non-Hindi-speaking states.

“AIR’s home service comprises 413 stations across the country, reaching nearly 92 per cent of the country’s geographical area and 99.19 per cent of the population. It serves a wide spectrum of socio-economic and cultural diversity. The Prime Minister’s broadcast will help strengthen our brand value,” a senior AIR official said.

A journalist at AIR said Modi’s clear diction in Hindi makes him ideal for radio. “He is, perhaps, the first Prime Minister who is using charisma and communication skills to carve out a more personalised leadership role,” the journalist said.

SOURCE AND CREDIT:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140926/jsp/nation/story_18874486.jsp#.VCWx8meSwaI

Wednesday 24 September 2014

जम्मू-कश्मीर में बाढ़ पीड़ितों के लिए आकाशवाणी बना सहारा

2014-09-23 PM 09:48:44

बाढ़ की विभीषिका झेलने के बाद जिंदगी को पटरी पर लाने की कोशिशों में जुटे जम्मू-कश्मीर के लोगों के लिए आकाशवाणी अपने केंद्रों के माध्यम से निरंतर मदद मुहैया करा रहा है। राज्य में हाल में आई विनाशकारी बाढ़ के कारण कश्मीर घाटी का संपर्क देश और दुनिया के बाकी इलाकों से टूट गया था और साथ ही श्रीनगर में रेडियो कश्मीर का प्रसारण भी प्रभावित हुआ था।

आकाशवाणी ने युद्धस्तर पर काम करते हुए शंकराचार्य पहाडिय़ों पर एक अस्थायी केंद्र से एफएम 102.6 मेगाहट्र्ज का प्रसारण शुरू किया। साथ ही 1116 किलाहट्र्ज पर मीडियम वेव सेवा नरबल में एक अस्थायी केंद्र से बहाल की गई। इन दो प्रसारणों के बहाल होने के बाद आकाशवाणी के अधिकारियों ने इसे घाटी में ज्यादा से ज्यादा लोगों तक पहुंचाने का प्रयास किया। आकाशवाणी के महानिदेशक ने बराबर काम की प्रगति पर नजर बनाए रखी।

राज्य में आकाशवाणी के केंद्रों ने राहत बचाव एवं पुनर्वास कार्यों के बारे में लगातार जनता को जानकारी दी। साथ ही हेल्पलाइन नंबर भी बार-बार प्रसारित किए गए। एफएम और मीडियम वेव सेवा के बहाल होने के साथ ही बाढ़ में फंसे कई लोगों ने मदद के लिए संदेश भेजे और साथ ही आकाशवाणी की इस पहल की खुले दिल से प्रशंसा की। बाढ़ से जूझ रहे लोगों को राहत पहुंचाने के लिए नियमित कार्यक्रमों के अलावा कई विशेष कार्यक्रम भी प्रसारित किए गए। सभी वर्गों के लोगों ने इन कार्यक्रमों की प्रशंसा की। सूबे के मुख्यमंत्री और विभिन्न विभागों के कई शीर्ष अधिकारियों ने एफएम स्टेशन पहुंचकर लोगों को संदेश दिए। रेडियो कश्मीर के कर्मचारियों ने बाढ़ प्रभावित लोगों के मनोबल को बढ़ाने के लिए अथक प्रयास किया।

Source and Credit:http://www.punjabkesari.in/news/article-287940

Tuesday 23 September 2014

PM’s Radio programme on 3rd October 2014 at 11 AM


On 3rd October 2014 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of India through the radio. The Prime Minister’s radio programme will be held at 11:00 AM on 3rd October, which is also Vijaya Dashmi.

The Prime Minister is expected to share his thoughts on a variety of issues. A separate Open Forum has been created on MyGov for citizens to share their comments for the forthcoming radio programme.


Citizens should share ideas and best practices on development, good governance and other issues. The Prime Minister would refer to the Open Forum before the programme and may even refer to some of the points made on the Forum.

Earlier, on 6th September 2014 the Prime Minister talked about connecting with people through radio and sought ideas. He has Tweeted:
Let’s connect on the Radio…want your ideas. http://t.co/9C4URtOP6t
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2014
Since then there has been an extremely positive feedback on the idea of having a radio programme. Netizens across India have welcomed this idea.

The Radio programme is seen as one more instance of the Prime Minister innovatively communicating with the people. Just recently, on 17th September, after two busy and eventful days in Gujarat the Prime Minister spent over an hour personally replying to people who greeted him on his birthday. This created an electrifying atmosphere on Twitter.


Radio Kashmir both MW & FM fully operational.Did not depend on technology available in Kashmir only but also made use of Satellite Communication Technology

Jammu and Kashmir 's All India Radio commenced normal medium wave broadcasts

 All India Radio stations in Jammu and Kashmir has now resumed normal medium wave service. It had earlier began beaming to an extent amid the floods, to send out vital life saving information to the people.

All the special audience programmes including the live shows with experts have been restored, including the outstation broadcasting segments and music broadcasts.

All the news bulletins from Delhi are also being aired across the valley. Earlier, the FM transmissions had been restored.
There was complete collapse of broadcast infrastructure as a consequence of the ferocious fury of the swirling waters in the widely popular Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, forcing it to go off the air.

AIR headquarters had deployed additional programme and technical professionals to help restore the signal of All India Radio at Srinagar initially the FM transmitter installed at Shankaracharya Hills, spared by flood fury.

Consequently, programmes like utility messages, helpline numbers and also having content offering psychological succor were broadcast. These were interspersed with suitable music, soothing recitations, befitting documentaries and greatest of all, ‘vox populi' expressing people's feelings, emotions, expectations and sentiments. AIR did not depend on the technology available in Kashmir only but also made use of satellite communication technology.

The sister station in Jammu also continuously broadcast appropriate programmes taking crucial information support to the listeners in the state. Jammu and Srinagar stations of AIR are serving the people of the state and also whomsoever they reach across the border and LOC for the past six decades.

Source and Credit:http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/jammu-and-kashmir-s-all-india-radio-commenced-normal-medium-wave-broadcasts

AIR receives appreciation for programmes supporting people of flood hit Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, Sept. 23 (ANI): All India Radio (AIR) has been receiving a deluge of messages cutting across sections of the society for carrying out programmes in support of rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities in flood hit Jammu and Kashmir.

Right after the resumption of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar's FM station from its makeshift studios at Shankaracharya Hills and then of Medium Wave transmitter at Narbal, it has been airing vital information related with disaster management and rehabilitation; helpline numbers were also announced.
Besides, many regular broadcasts including some special audience programmes have been restored to bring solace to suffering people of flood ravaged Kashmir.

The programmes were suitably anchored by soothing music to help the grieving people and bring them out of it eventually.
Even Chief Minister and top ranking officials from various concerned departments have visited the Radio Kashmir FM Transmitter atop Shankaracharya Hills to broadcast their special messages.

The high spirited Programme, Engineering and other staff members of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar have striven tirelessly to uplift the morale of those marooned in the valley with their broadcasts. 

Source and Credit:https://in.news.yahoo.com/air-receives-appreciation-programmes-supporting-people-flood-hit-141750580.html