EVERYTHING IN RADIO: Broadcasting to the Masses

Description

Sreedher’s work on science popularisation (including space technology) through radio was when I first met him, over three decades ago. His outstanding work in science and education in AIR was taken further when he joined IGNOU, and worked on Gyan Darshan and Gyan Vani. Here, and later in CEMCA (an offshoot of COL), he used and further honed his capabilities in educational communication. His pioneering efforts in community radio resulted in India’s first such station in Chennai, and let on to some exemplary projects. As an initiator of the Development Communicators Forum, he created an important platform for bringing together professionals in this field. These and many other facets are covered in this interesting book, which inter-twines his personal experience with the evolution of the use of radio and television for education and development. I would consider this a must-read for professionals and students in this field. -Kiran Karnik, Former President, Nasscom and Development Communicator and Former Director, DECU, ISRO, 1983-99.

Kaushalya Rathnam, is a freelance media professional currently based in Bengaluru. Has worked in the Radio Industry for over 9 years, hosting prime time shows on a Private FM Radio Network in Chennai. Has won the Best RJ Award from a leading Tamil Weekly in Tamil Nadu. Has interviewed a range of eminent personalities like Astronaut Sunita Williams, Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand and Actor Kamal Hassan. Has also worked in the capacity of Asst Manager Brand Integration, working on campaign ideas to promote top brands on Radio through content, sales and marketing initiatives. She has also been actively involved in various CSR initiatives. She is a former student of Dr. Sreedher, from Anna University where she pursued post graduation in Electronic Media and hosted shows for the first Community Radio in the country, Anna FM.

Biman Basuis aretired scientist of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Heis the winner of the 1994 ‘NCSTC National Award for Science Popularisation’. He is a recipient of ‘Kishore Gyan Vigyan Award’ for Popular Science Writing in Bengali, 1992, and was awarded the ‘AWIC Honour 2007′ by the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children for his contribution to children’s literature. An M.Sc. in Chemistry from Delhi University, he has been involved in science communication through his popular science writings, radio talks and popular lectures for more than five decades. A prolific writer on a wide range of S&T topics, he writes in English, Bengali and Hindi and has written for both adults and children. He was editor of the popular science monthly Science Reporter (published by CSIR) for more than 30 years. He has to his credit more than 1,600 popular science articles and over 1,200 radio talks and features. He has been associated with several organisations including the National Book Trust, Bal Bhawan Society, National Open Schools, Indira Gandhi National Open University, National Council of Science and Technology Communication (DST), Vigyan Prasar, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and the National Science Centre, Delhi, in their science popularisation programmes as a consultant and also has been participating in interaction programmes with children in schools in different parts of the country. He has also delivered talks on ‘Popular Science Writing’ for training courses organised at the National Institute of Science Communication (NISCOM), Human Resource Development Centre of CSIR, Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), and Staff Training Institute of All India Radio.