Harmony of Colours! Sarang 107.8 FM Campus Radio of St Aloysius College celebrates 10 years
Mangaluru: Community Radio Sarang 107.8 FM managed by the Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society (MJES) and run by St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, established in September 2009 by Dr Richard Rego SJ who is known as the founder of this campus based community radio, and its decennial celebration was held today, Tuesday 12 March 2019 at Eric Mathias Hall. Though Sarang 107.8 FM is a campus radio, it is more of a community-participating radio than educational institution radio. Quantitatively, approximately 95% of the content is produced by and with the local community or by health and legal workers for communities.
Sarang means ‘harmony of colours’ signifying various social, religious, linguistic communities and their peaceful coexistence at coastal Karnataka. Mangaluru community is a melting pot of cultures, religions and languages. Hence, it was felt that Sarang would be the most appropriate name. It began as a two hours radio programme. Later it became 24×7 Community radio with, for and by local people such as farmers, fisher-folk, patients, vendors, students, medical and legal experts, service providers like bicycle mechanics, small vendors, cobblers, and people with different abilities.
The Radio Sarang 107.8 FM, inaugurated its Decennial year “DASHA SAMBHRAMA” with chief guest Sri Sri Sri Ekagamyananda Swamiji of Sri Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru as the inaugurator,while J.R. Lobo, Former MLA, Cine Artiste, Devdas Kapikad were the guests og honor. Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ presided over the programme. Principal, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ and Director of Radio Sarang, Rev Dr Melwyn Pinto SJ were present on the dais.
On the auspicious occasion, a seminar was arranged for the students. Manohar Prasad, Bureau Chief of Udayavani, Mangaluru and Dr Narendra Rai Derla were the resource persons. During the programme, large Shade providing umbrellas were distributed for five needy street vendors of the city who also are Radio Sarang listeners. They were: Irene D’Souza, Nelluraya, Smt Indu, Kamala Elyar Padav and M.M. Malagi (Samosa Ajja, who has been selling Samosas, Chikkius etc neat St Aloysius Institution gate for the last 40 years). Besides this, an Intercollegiate Radio Drama competition was arranged.
Sri Ekagamyananda Swamiji, in his inaugural address, explained the differences between Radio and other modes of communication. He said that the Radio is significantly unique and different from the visual media. Listening to the pleasant and meaningful messages in the Radio and reflecting on them as well as putting them into practice is a special experience. It does not limit itself to a few areas but encompasses everything. He appreciated the noble work done by Radio Sarang and St Aloysius College.
Former MLA J R Lobo unveiled the Decennial logo of Radio Sarang and said that the employees of the Community radio have been rendering yeomen service to the people of Dakshina Kannada by reaching its message to the last, the least and the lost. In an age where violence and negativity dominates, Radio Sarang is upholding values of harmony and mutual co-existence. Film actor and director Sri Devdas Kapikad enumerated his affiliation and affection with Radio Sarang.
Rev. Fr Dionysius Vas, Rector, Aloysian Institutions in his Presidential address congratulated the service rendered by Radio Sarang in the last 10 years. He said that we need to look at the society with compassion. Hence awareness, understanding and culture need to be reached to common man and Radio Sarang has been doing it meaningfully and consistently. Principal of the college Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ shared the story of the inception and steady growth of Radio Sarang. He wished that many more excellent and innovative programmes would be broadcast by the Community Radio.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean Dr Melwyn Pinto SJ, Director of Radio Sarang said, ” Started in the year 2009, Radio Sarang is the first community radio in coastal Karnataka. It has strived to be the voice of the voiceless, namely communities from lower rungs of society. Its flagship programme ‘Vrutti Samtrupti’ (Labour and Satisfaction) has successfully completed 50 weekly episodes highlighting various trades of the labour class. The station also introduced the first transgender Kajal as an RJ in 2017. It has received two national awards for its unique programmes. The mission of Radio Sarang has catered to the distressed communities in the last 10 years. The station has reached out to scores of such communities in and around Mangalore. We would like to continue the good work in the coming years as well and introduce many more quality programmes and projects to help the needy,”
Registrar, Dr A.M. Narahari, Ganesh Amin Sankamar, Dr Alwyn D’Sa were present during the programme. Rev. Dr Melwyn Pinto welcomed the gathering. Programme Coordinator, Abhishek Shetty Padil compered the programme. Roshan Crasta from Sarang proposed the vote of thanks.
About Sarang 108.7 FM :
Sarang means ‘harmony of colours’ signifying various social, religious, linguistic communities and their peaceful coexistence at coastal Karnataka. Mangaluru community is a melting pot of cultures, religions and languages. Hence, it was felt that Sarang would be the most appropriate name. It began as a two hours radio programme. Later it became 24×7 Community radio with, for and by local people such as farmers, fisher-folk, patients, vendors, students, medical and legal experts, service providers like bicycle mechanics, small vendors, cobblers, and people with different abilities.
The local communities contribute regularly to this radio. The radio also spreads messages of peace and harmony among people through programs based on the need for the same specially during celebrations and when such need is felt. Today it has 16 hours of daily programmes ranging from educational to social to health and cultural issues and aspects.
The programs are produced -mostly- by the local community and also by staff, students of mass communication (MCMS or MS Communication, equivalent to MCJ with specializations) and other students of St Aloysius College and neighboring schools and colleges. Subjects of Radio Sarang programming include health and hygiene, sanitation, agriculture, education, fisher-folk issues, road safety, water conservation, rain water harvesting, folk culture and life, and women and children’s rights. Original entertainment by locals are the hallmark of this radio. The program formats include talks, interviews, phone-ins, songs, poetry, stories, and chat-shows.
Community Radio Sarang 107.8FM broadcasts in Konkani, Kannada, Tulu, and English languages daily, besides broadcasting in Malayalam, Beary (mother tongue of local Muslims), and Hindi languages on weekly basis. In addition, Community Radio SARANG 107.8 MHz also broadcasts in Punjabi, on the request of the local Sikh community. On 15 June 2010, Community Radio SARANG 107.8FM started broadcasting 14 hours non-stop, from 6.30 to 20.30 hours, which is reduced now for 16 hours per day from 6′ am till 10′ pm.
At the hour of adversity, Community Radio SARANG has always taken major risks, turning its limitations into strengths. For example, when one of its transmitters broke down in 2011, the broadcast was further increased to 18 hours a day from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m., on 24 June, the day first signals of the Community Radio SARANG went on air, on a trial basis in 2009. In the next one month (In July 2011), Community Radio SARANG 107.8FM became the only community radio in India broadcasting 24 hours a day!.
On 15 August 2010 (India’s Independence Day) Community Radio SARANG 107.8 MHz created a new record by broadcasting live for 14-continuous hours, a record repeated on 14 August 2012, this time including on-the-spot reporting using mobile telephony, from the field, reporting live hoisting of the National Flag, by village communities.