A dedicated FM radio station of the Madurai Regional Centre of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has started broadcasting educational programmes from Friday.
Gyan Vani, the radio network, has well-equipped recording studios and will cover a field of 80 km from Madurai. The radio channel frequency is 105.6 MHz.
S. Mohanan, Regional Director, IGNOU, said that the university had a 24-hour television channel, 'Gyan Darshan,' and a web resource facility, e-Gyankosh. It was also reaching out to defence personnel through Gyandeep. The Madurai station will broadcast programmes from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day. "Now, we are broadcasting recorded programmes. Live programmes with the participation of subject experts, and student interactive sessions will be broadcast soon," Dr. Mohanan said.
On the inaugural day, a programme was broadcast about IGNOU, the need for e-communication, and the uses of technology. This is the third FM radio station for the Madurai Regional Centre which covers 17 districts in the southern and western parts of the State with a cumulative student strength of 28,750.
While the radio network in Tiruchi and Coimbatore were started in collaboration with Bharatidasan University and Bharathiar University respectively, the FM station in Madurai has been set up independently by IGNOU. The Regional Director said that a communication would be sent to Principals, subject experts and Education Department officials to participate in the programmes as individuals or in groups. Those who are interested can contact Dr.Mohanan on 0452 2380733 or 2370733.
Source: The Hindu 16/3
