Community radios proving boon as RJs run campaigns

Sanjay Yadav

Gurugram, April 26

Amid the Covid scare, community radios of Nuh are proving a boon to keep people informed and check the spread of rumours. The Health Department has tied up with 11 radio jockeys (RJs) to maintain seamless communication with locals.

The jockeys are busy broadcasting special programmes and awareness campaigns through two community radio stations, Radio Mewat and Alfaz-e-Mewat, in Nuh district where 57 Covid cases have been reported so far.

Radio Mewat (FM 90.4), that has a listener base across 165 villages, has not only been sharing credible health intelligence, but also has been running a special telephonic helpline where seven RJs, working in shifts, are taking calls on Covid doubts and queries and broadcasting resolutions to make people aware of symptoms and care of Covid.

“We are running a special programme where we broadcast interviews with religious leaders on Covid and they urge people to strictly obey Covid precautions. Women RJs are reaching out to women and broadcasting women-specific programmes. We are also broadcasting Covid specials for farmers. We are spreading messages of administration and government pertaining to Covid to a larger section of people,” RJ Imran Khan of Radio Mewat said.

Another channel, Alfaz-e-Mewat (FM 107.8), caters to 225 villages and regularly relays information received from the District Collector, Chief Medical Officer and other government functionaries to listeners.

“The special live programme ‘Lockdown 19 din aur’ is a huge success as it concentrates on nitty-gritty of lockdown. We have shows like ‘Aaj ka hero’, which is based on personal accounts of Covid warriors. We also run special jingles to emphasise social distancing. A Gurugram psychologist is also helping the station. All our four RJs are doing their best to eliminate Covid fear through awareness,” said RJ Shakir of Radio Alfaz-e-Mewat.