Radio Raabta brings cheer to troubled south Kashmir

Anantnag, January 17

“Hello! This is Dil se Dil Tak welcoming its south Kashmir listeners.” The cheerful greeting in Urdu flows into homes in south Kashmir’s militancy stronghold areas from the Radio Raabta community station, providing not just entertainment but also a platform for locals to air their grievances.

The Army, which has been instrumental in providing wings to the dreams of locals, set up the community radio station, Radio Raabta (connect), in Anantnag as part of its outreach programme for the youth of the Valley, especially south Kashmir. It was the vision of Lt Gen BS Raju, General Officer in Command of XV Corps, to establish a community radio station in Anantnag.

Lt Gen BS Raju’s initiative

• The Radio Raabta community station is the vision of Lt Gen BS Raju, General Officer in Command of XV Corps
• Besides Anantnag, its reach is around 20 km in radius, covering parts of Pulwama and Kulgam districts
• It plays Hindi and Punjabi songs besides interviewing local achievers, especially youth to motivate others

It became a reality from New Year with two radio jockeys — Umar Nisar and Aaisha Gowhar. The Radio Raabta 90.8 FM Dil se Dil Tak has not only become talk of the Anantnag district, but the reach is around 20 km in radius, covering parts of Pulwama and Kulgam districts in south Kashmir as well. The station is playing Hindi and Punjabi songs after acquiring the intellectual property rights.

“Soon we will have Kashmiri music after getting the rights for that,” says Nisar. The two radio jockeys are also providing informative snippets like traffic situation and weather, as well as interviews with local achievers, especially youths. “This has at least helped us in knowing what’s going on in the immediate surrounding,” says Umer Malik, general manager of Eden Hotel at Pahalgham.

Malik is echoed by Isaaq Bhat, owner of apple orchards at Bijbehara, who feels that ‘Radio Raabta’ would be able to highlight local issues like non-availability of roads, electric supplies and the the plight faced by common people during the harsh winter months.

Victor Force General Officer Commanding Major General Rashim Bali is an avid listener to the station. “Our endeavour is to make the youth dream big,” he said. — PTI