Radio Chitkara FM 107.8, the community radio of Chitkara University, has become the first radio station in India and the world to broadcast round the clock programs on COVID-19 awareness for the community in the region, including five adopted villages, of Chitkara University in Punjab state.
Broadcasting from March 2020, Radio Chitkara’s aim is to disseminate information regarding the spread of coronavirus, its symptoms, and possible preventive measures to avoiding community transmission in India.
Audience reception, which includes those living in the Patiala District, Mohali District in Punjab and Ambala Cantt District of Haryana, has been positive, reaching more than 1.5 million listeners through the terrestrial transmission.
Radio Chitkara also has an integrated Web telecast multiplying reach and bringing in a global audience through its continuous coverage.
Repetitive telecasts and programs on COVID-19 have made it more promising and helpful for listeners in fighting pandemic in India and abroad.
The programs focus on talks with medical professionals, district administration, locals, Member Legislative Assembly, Heads of villages, and NGOs active in managing the COVID-19 crisis.
Chief Minister, Punjab, and Chief Minister, Haryana are broadcasted daily through video conferencing from the daily bulletin of state control rooms of their respective regions.
Special bulletins on the outbreak from a national perspective, taken from All India Radio, daily at least 2 special programs on Punjab and Haryana each, updates from both states on corona are being produced and aired.
State government’s efforts for people during the Corona crisis are highlighted and do’s and don’ts to stop Coronavirus is played again and again in radio to reinforce the habit among the audience. The spots of the central, state government on COVID 19 are also played in between programs so that information can reach listeners in crisp form.
The radio is operated remotely during the lockdown, with Executive Producers Rupinder Kaur and Ranjit Singh Chopra working from the city of Patiala, Programming Head Pankaj Garg based at Kurukshetra, and Station Head Dr Ashutosh Mishra contributing from Chandigarh.
All are working from home to run Chitkara 107.8 round the clock so that the very purpose of this mass media tool can be well addressed and efforts are supported by the Chitkara University Leadership Team.
Recently, Chitkara University Chancellor Dr Ashok K. Chitkara and Pro-Chancellor Dr Madhu Chitkara declared funding support of Rs. 1 Crore, more than one hundred thousand US Dollars, through the Chitkara University Research and Innovation – Centre of Excellence to the innovative minds who can contribute and help the world defeating this lethal pandemic in India.India