Akashvani Berhampur
Akash Vani, the word may seem familiar from the Epics like Bishnupuran when the Forecasting for King Kansa's death twists the story of Debaki and Basudeb.Voice from the akasha (sky) was ‘Akashvani‘, meaning celestial voice."Akashvani" was first used in the context of radio by M. V. Gopalaswamy.
But today we are going to depict a organization working from British era to serve the forecasting of weather, entertainment, and the components of diversified culture India is known for.
The 150th Station of AIR inaugurated at Berhampur (Orissa) on 1st April 1993.Akashvani or All India Radio is serving since the development in Radio frequency is in progress and for the People of Berhampur, its more than just a box of entertainment in the modern era of smart communication.
AIR Berhampur, the Local Radio Station operating at 100.6 Mhz in FM band from morning to mid night is just an exception in this time, whether in terms of Listeners or Revenue. Its pleasure to know that for the Fiscal year 2015-16 Brahmapur AIR not just earned highest revenue among the LRS in Odisha but AIR Berhampur is the only Local Radio Station in Odisha which has received nine National and International awards in its kitty for the quality of audience feedback and the program's connectivity across the sections of society.Audience research survey conducted in listening zone of All India Radio Berhampur by the Audience Research Unit of AIR Cuttack of Odisha has been selected for the coveted first prize in recently announced result of Akashvani Annual Award 2014-15.AIR Berhampur assistant director Hrusikesh Panigrahi said ARU Cuttack was selected for this prize in the audience research survey category for the planning and implementation of the study, quality of data collected and its proper interpretation as well as collection of innovative ideas as feedbacks from listeners. A 20-member team of surveyors led by Biswabasu Das had made this intensive survey for a period of one week in February this year.
This survey was conducted in Ganjam district villages that come under the listening zone of AIR Berhampur including Berhampur city limits. AIR Berhampur is a local FM station which has carved a niche for itself by winning several national and international radio programme awards in the past.
AIR Brahmapur is a 10 Kilo watt FM transmitter that serves officially to the erstwhile Ganjam district also covers portions of Phulbani district, along with the people of Northern Andhra Pradesh and the Coastal Odisha. Now Gajpati district has also been included in the coverage area of AIR Berhampur. It’s a wonder at the AIR studio where you can find rich collection of Folk songs of this area and a good collection of many rare old recording of the Ganjam's lost cultural heritage and Hindi, Odia old songs. Unfortunately, we cannot photograph them to abide by the policy of prohibition act, but we lack words to explain the thrill to be inside the transmission section and its working.