23% people of Odisha still listen to radio

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 13:

As per the 2011 census, about 20-23% people of Odisha still listen to the radio. Though the number is on the downslide, the trend can still be amended, said state I&PR secretary Madhusudan Padhy while addressing the Radio Fair-2015 at Bhanja Kala Mandap in the Odisha capital on Thursday.

Gracing the event as the chief guest, editor of leading Odia Daily, Sambad, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said radio has created a huge opportunity these days as connects people with very little expense and can be an ideal medium in the development of language, literature and culture.

“The number of radio listeners is on a steady rise. Earlier it was the only source of information and entertainment and was considered as a brand value. However, a lot of misinformation is being disseminated through radio at times. But it can get back its lost glory if the professionals become careful about it,” Patnaik said.

Speaking on the occasion, Padarabinda Das, deputy director of Prasar Bharti highlighted the growing popularity of FM stations across India and highlighted the priority the government is giving to boost its reach.

“We have planned to open 800 radio stations across 300 cities in the coming days. We are also emphasizing on the digitisation of the radio so that the popularity on Medium Wave (MW) band can increase. The Internet radio is also gaining popularity in many places these days. We are keeping an eye on the content being transmitted in the radio,” said Das.

The fair showcases old antique radio sets, equipments and other radio related material in 23 stalls.