AIR Berhampur bags International Prize

By Sunil Patnaik (The Telegraph)

BERHAMPUR: All India Radio, Berhampur, has bagged the first prize of the Tokyo-based International Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union under the category of children and youth programme for its audio documentary Aa Mo Sakala Aa (Come come, dear morning). The programme was meant to generate awareness among youth and children to fight AIDS. “Our programme on AIDS awareness was highly appreciated by the international jury comprising members from Voice of America, British Broadcasting Corporation, Australia Broadcasting Corporation, NYK Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and Netherlands Public Broadcasting,” said Hrushikesh Panda, assistant station director of AIR, Berhampur. More than 200 electronic media from more than 80 countries participated in the event. But entries from six countries, including Germany, Japan, China, Iran, Hong Kong and India, were shortlisted for the final round, he said. The award carried a cash prize of $2,000, a citation, and a trophy. “We consider AIR, Berhampur, not only as a medium of entertainment to the public, but also as a prime medium to enlighten the mass for better public health and improved socio-economic conditions,” said the assistant station director. AIR, Berhampur had also bagged the Special Commendation Award in the children and youth category for a programme on global warming titled Our Home the Planet Earth. The programme had participated in the International Radio Festival of Iran in 2009, and the International Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Competition in London in 2011. “The AIR, Berhampur, is the only radio station with ‘local radio station’ status in the state, which has bagged several national and international awards despite problems such as staff shortage and lack of a full-fledged studio,” said Panda.