Jeypore: The All India Radio (AIR), Jeypore, one of the oldest radio stations in India and third largest station in Odisha, established in 1964, is facing a severe staff crunch.
The station has catered to the needs of denizens of the undivided Koraput district and helped in socio economic development of not just the local people but of border areas of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
The station is having three transmitters — 50KW short wave transmitter, 100 KW medium wave transmitter and a 1KW FM transmitter while very soon a 100KW medium transmitter will be upgraded. Deputy Director General DDG (E) Er Asis Kumar Dey said efforts are under way to make the station one of the finest stations in the state.
Since 1964, the station has made various programmes on science, art, health, family welfare, music, documentary, drama, folk and classical music, animal husbandry and agriculture-based news, as till now television is a dream for many people in the undivided Koraput district. Radio still serves the lifeline for many, said programe executive Jugal Kishore Panda.
The Jeypore AIR is a kindergarten for many newcomers and a nursery for many top broadcasters of the country. AIR Jeypore has provided a number of alumini who are in top positions in the length and breadth of the nation, said Jagdish Adhikary, program executive.
While Bijaya Kumar Samantray, an A Grade artiste and a senior violin player, said over last 53 years, the station has been honoured with more than 50 annual awards and national awards in various categories. Even though there is a scarcity of staff in the station, we have made ourselves proud with a limited number of staff. We would achieve more if the staff strength is increased, Samantray said.
According to reports, many of the departments in the radio station are lying vacant. There is a need for one station director, 14 transmitter executives, eight musicians, two composers and two assistant station directors, among others.
A demand to upgrade the 1KW FM transmitter to a 100KW is in full swing so that a large number of areas can be covered in the district. Music is an integrator for people.
PNN