‘Radio Loktak’ FM station goes on air

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL| Sept 9

The 2nd community radio station of Manipur named ‘Radio Loktak’ was inaugurated today at Uchiwa Leirak Achouba, under Mayang Imphal assembly constituency, Imphal west.

The radio station which will broadcast at 90.4 Mhz of Frequency Modulation (FM), has got its wireless operating license (WOL) under ministry of information and broadcasting, and ministry of communication and information technology, government of India. The first of its kind in Manipur is Daimond FM Radio, Khongjom, Thoubal district.

Health minister L. Jayantakumar and MLA, H. Dingo expressed happiness that the radio station will give awareness programmes to the people about saving the Loktak Lake.

Mayang Imphal A/C MLA, K. Robindro also expressed that he will provide all the support he can and urged that efforts should be made to make the radio station a popular one by broadcasting programmes that would be beneficial to the people. He also urged that the radio station should take a big role in saving the Loktak Lake.

 It may be mentioned that the first programme of Radio Loktak will broadcasted daily from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm and its second programme will start at evening from 6 to 8.30. Variety programmes will be broadcast during these hours.

The station director of the newly installed Radio Loktak, S. Suranjoy said that a community radio station comes under the third phase of the broadcasting system of the government of India.  Such stations provide information and programmes about the welfare schemes and initiatives undertaken by the government for the people residing at villages and remote areas.

This would help fill the existing gap between the government and the people. Community radios have reached an advanced stage in India; around 200 such stations have been opened, he said.

He further said that planning for the construction of the community radio station had been going on since 2012 and today was a dream come true. However, there is so much more steps to be taken up.

 The people had provided a big support in the making of this radio station. Radio Loktak can broadcast its signal up to 30 kilometres. It aims to provide signals to Mayang Imphal area, and listeners from other three surrounding assembly constituencies.  The radio station will be run by integrated community development organisation; he said and urged the people to provide further support. 

On the inaugural ceremony, minister of Health, L. Jayentakumar attended as chief guest, MLA of Mayang Imphal assembly constituency, K. Robindro as president and MLA of Hiyanglam assembly constituency, Dr. Y. Radheshyam, MLA of Sekmai assembly constituency, H. Dingo, DIG, Manipur police wireless department, S. Dwijamni, project director of LDA, S. Bhagaton and others well known people from the villages attended as guests of honour.