Itanagar, Aug 21 : In Arunachal Pradesh where poor network of roads severely restrict people’s choices for outside entertainment, the newly-launched FM radio has come as a good alternative.
In fact the FM radio, launched here recently by a Guwahati-based company, has become sort of a craze as people often stay up late enjoying the latest mode of interactive entertainment.
If FM radio has spiced up the otherwise hum drum lives of Arunachalese, the arrival of mobile phone and cable tv together with bank ATMs and cyber cafes has revolutionised the life style, bringing in the modern times.
The radio jockeys were surprised when listeners from different hilltops around the stadium-shaped town participate in witty exchanges and request for playing songs they want to dedicate to their loved ones.
This was a new experience for the mixed population of locals and settlers from different parts of the country who earlier went to sleep a little after sunset till a few years ago.
Visitors to this city till 2005, including this reporter, were flummoxed at the sight of cordless phones, connected to landline phones at homes, being carried by people in the streets.
It was possible in the city, surrouned on all four sides by high mountains, as there was no high structure to act as barriers to the communication signals, it was revealed. To the credit of the Arunachalese, they have adjusted eminently with the symbols of modernity given their wont for tradition and customs to rule their lives.
ATMs are a common sight now. Satellite based computer system with video conferencing facility helped the autorities launch E-governance in all the 16 district headquaters recently.
The Arunachal Chief minister, Dorjee Khandu, while inaugurating the FM radio service at a glittering function here recently expressed his hope that the FM radio would not only air musical programmes, but also play a constructive role in spreading rich culture and tradition of the State.
The first song on demand aired was Khandu’s choice Pyar Deewana Hota hai — sung by Kishor Kumar in the film Kati Patang. But the inaugural song was Bhupen Hazarika’s Hamara Arunachal.
Bollywood playback singer Vinod Rathod was full of appreciation for the zeal and enthusiasm of the audience who braved heavy rains to listen to music till late in the night at the function at Indira Gandhi park here.
Locals are well versed with Hindi which is taught as the second language in the schools in the Himalayan State bordering China. With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh annoucing a Rs 20,000 crore package for all round development of the backward State including a modern road network, the distant Himalayan State is in for exciting times.
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