Chandigarh University today celebrated the festival of Basant Panchami – The arrival of Spring in a unique way by launching Mohali city’s first community radio 90.0 Radio Punjab at its campus. The radio station and studio of Radio Punjab 90.0 were inaugurated by Charanjit Singh Channi, Minister for Technical Education, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab, and Upasana Singh, Bollywood Actress, and Comedian. University Institute of Media Studies (UIMS), the mass communication institute of Chandigarh University, would be running the community radio “Radio Punjab”.
Radio Punjab 90.0 will cater to the audience of Mohali, Kharar, Morinda, Kurali, besides covering the rural areas of Mankheri, Roorkee Pukhta, Mamupur, Gharuan, Batta, and Simbal Majra which are the adopted villages of Chandigarh University.
“Community Radio has the purpose to serve the community by becoming the voice of a common man and bridging the gap between the government and its citizens. Radio has always been a popular source of communication and entertainment which is used by all the sections of society,” said Charanjit Singh Channi, Cabinet Minister.
“The role of radio became even more significant during the recent COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown as it helped to spread awareness about the dreaded disease and to keep the common man informed about the misinformation and myths,” the minister added. He further said, “Community radio is also an important tool of communication for the government through which it can propagate various welfare schemes for the various sections of society especially the economically weaker section and old age.”
While congratulating the team of Chandigarh University, Bollywood actress Upasana Singh said, “In the time of internet, Radio is facing many challenges but it is the only medium of communication which can be used anywhere and is the cheapest source of entertainment especially in rural India.” Community Radio also helps in reconnecting the youth with their roots through programs based on the traditions and heritage of our country, Upasana added.
Terming it a landmark day in University’s history, Dr. R.S.Bawa, Pro-Chancellor Chandigarh University, said, “Radio Punjab 90.0 is yet another step undertaken by CU under its Institutional Social Responsibility towards the society and the radio station will be totally dedicated to serving the different sections of the community like farmers, students, women, government, panchayats of the neighbouring villages, NGO’s & others.”
Besides providing a hands-on learning platform to the mass communication students of University, the community radio will also act as a talent search medium that budding young artists from rural areas can showcase their talent to the world, Dr. Bawa added.
Chandigarh University has planned-out shows like “Navi Saver” which will discuss the issues pertaining to farmers and women empowerment, “CU DA Mike” which will provide a platform to budding and folk artists, “Mere Pind” which will cater to the issues pertaining to villages and rural areas. The community radio will telecast 24×7 programs and will be run by the mass communication students of Chandigarh University.
