Ooty FM station to be upgraded by All India Radio

Ooty, 29 June-2014(PTI): Colour and gaiety marked the 20th anniversary celebrations of All India Radio (AIR), Udhagamandalam station, here on Saturday. Singers and dancers – including tribals and folk artistes – from various places, showcased Indian culture in different forms.

Ooty FM station to be upgraded by All India Radio

A dance performance at the 20th anniversary celebrations of All India Radio in Udhagamandalam, on Saturday. Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

The Nilgiris Collector P.Sankar, who participated as the chief guest, traced the history of broadcast through radio in the country and said that Tamil Nadu was a pioneer. He added that in many aspects, the radio continues to be peerless.

The Additional Director General, AIR, South Zone, P.K.Subash, who presided, said that the progress of the Ooty station, notwithstanding challenges of a varied kind over the last two decades, was praiseworthy.From a 1kW station, it will become a 10kW broadcasting facility soon

Its part in ensuring the welfare of the Nilgiris was significant.

Pointing out that its record in public broadcast was impeccable, he expressed the confidence that it would flourish in the years to come.

He added that very soon the Ooty FM station would be upgraded. From a one KW station it would become a ten KW broadcasting facility.

The Project Director, Hill Area Development Programme (HADP), Srinivas R.Reddy, said that the district administration and the AIR can collaborate in many ways.

The station can be used effectively during natural calamities and also warn motorists about adverse conditions.

Tribal culture
Under a HADP-funded scheme, data on matters like tribal culture recorded over the years by the AIR will be brought out in print form.

Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, M.R.Srinivasan and Toda Social Activist K.Vaasamalli Pothli also spoke.

Programme Head, AIR Madhavi Ravindranath, welcomed the gathering.