Click to play videoKolkata: The coming of community radios is long overdue in this part of the country. And in a few months, Jadavpur University's community radio might well be the first station that gives a break to talented singers like this student, who is eyeing a career in music.
The university is drawing around Rs 20 lakh from a World Bank grant to kick off the radio station. And though its reach will be restricted to a 10-km radius, it could give the six commercial stations in the city a stiff competition.
It's a great initiative, but the key question is sustainability. Because commercials are restricted, many community radios have had to shut shop.
Until lately, community radios were barred from carrying advertisements. But the rule has changed a bit, and they are now allowed to take up to five minutes of commercials an hour.
"For one year, we have finances under the TEQUIP programme which is for technical education. And they are funding one year and the initial set up. Eventually we hope that we will become self-sustaining,” says Director, School of Media Communications and Culture, Jadavpur University, Nilanjana Gupta.
The university is looking to launch the radio station in June. Initially it might have to be content with say four hours of programming a day, but it promises to deliver a quality mix of entertainment and education.
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