[cr-india] Himachal's first community radio launched at Solan

[Alokesh Gupta]

Himachal's first community radio launched at Solan

Himvani  Mar 13
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh's first wireless Community Radio was today launched 
in Solan, district. Chief Secretary of government of Himachal Pradesh Asha 
Swaroop inaugurated the community radio at M.S. Panwar Institute of 
Communication and Management (MSPICM), Solan. The radio MSPICM 90.4 FM 
community radio would cater to the area within 10 kilometers radius from the 
main station that has been installed at the institute.
"Main Solan ke listeners ka abhinandan karti hoon (I welcome listeners of 
Solan)", were the first words of Asha Swaroop, to be aired from the 
community radio. The radio would focus on the developmental aspects of the 
local area.
This community radio service is the first to be launched in the state and 
the forty third in the country. There are over100 applications pending for 
sanction of community radio across the country, including the proposal of 
Dr. Y.S. Parmar Horticulture University Nauni, Solan.
In her address Swaroop said, "Each of the 12 districts of Himachal should 
have at least one community radio to act as an interactive media for the 
population of specific areas in communicating and getting solutions to their 
problems".
Later, Vice Chancellor of the Horticulture University Dr. Jagmohan said that 
Himachal has the capacity to accommodate over 100 community radio looking at 
its applicability in Agriculture and Horticulture that are the largest 
sector of the state's economy.
Director Commonwealth Media Centre for Asia Dr. R. Sreedhar said that 
community radio has the capability to give solutions to local developmental 
issues of an area and build community participation in development. He 
appreciated the endeavour of the M.S. Panwar Institute for coming forward in 
adopting this mode of communication that is expected to have far reaching 
effects in the field of development communication.
The MSPICM is hosting the two day 7th Regional Consultation for the 
Community Radio enthusiasts of the North West Zone, covering the states of 
Himachal Pradesh Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of 
Chandigarh,begining March 13.

http://www.himvani.com/news/2009/03/13/himachals-first-community-radio-launched-at-solan/2418/

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Alokesh Gupta
New Delhi.