Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 12: Hundreds of antique radios were the centre of attraction at a one-of-its-kind exhibition organised at Bhanjakala Mandap in the city Thursday.
Scores of radio enthusiasts thronged the venue to view the exhibition, organised on the eve of World Radio Day which falls February 13. Several radio stations, ranging from All India Radio to private FM channels and a couple of community radio stations to two international ones – Radio Japan and Radio Tehri – participated.
Around 25 stalls were installed by radio stations on the premises of the Mandap in order to give visitors a glimpse into the functioning of radios of a bygone age.
“I grew up listening to the radio. It was an indispensable part of me, and many memories are intertwined with it. I’m still so fond of it that I’ve applied for a job with All India Radio,” said Nalini Mahanandia, a radio enthusiast.
Hundreds of antique and contemporary radio sets are available for sale at the exhibition.
“I’ve been hunting a long time for a wooden console radio set. It is very rare to come by, and an official at the fair has assured me he will procure one for me by Friday,” said visitor Suresh Chandra Patra.
Lauding private radio stations for their contribution towards continuing the legacy of radio and ensuring that the format still stays relevant in today’s age of digital entertainment, Padarbinda Das, deputy director general of Prasar Bharti, said he does not foresee radio’s importance waning.
“I don’t think radio’s importance is on the decline. In fact, the number of radio stations in India is on the rise. People still prefer radio over other modes of entertainment. Radio will always be relevant and private stations should be lauded for making it vastly popular,” Das said.
Subrat Kumar Pati, president of the fair, spoke on the crucial importance of radio as a method of failsafe communication. “After a natural disaster, there is no television, no internet and no mobile phone communication to disseminate information. You only have the radio,”said Pati.
