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AID-India launches satellite radio programs in tsunami affected areas. |
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In the middle of the Tsunami work there is an excellent new
opportunity that has cropped up. World Space is donating a
transmitting station to AID and a number of receivers (about 100)
which can be put in villages.
This is just like having your own satellite radio station! AID will have one
channel (24 hrs a day) which we can use for broadcasting a lot of
educational and health materials. A person will have to read out a
script and this will be received by satellite by a lot of people
across the state!
Worldspace corporation has set up a broadcasting facility in the relief
commissioner's office in chennai, to enable the govt to reach all the affected
villages quickly and directly. They have setup receivers (like radios) in
about 68 villages in Tamilnadu, particularly in relief camps. Worldspace had
approached AID-India to help the govt efforts in planning the programme since a
lot of material is required. We showed our health and education material to the
chief relief commissioner Mr.C.V.Sankar, who was quite impressed.
The result? AID-India is currently working from the relief commissioner's office
and our programme is reaching all the villages on a daily basis! Charles, our
fulltimer who has worked with All India Radio is planning the programme and
script, and broadcasting from the office. There is a huge need for such
material - particularly breakign the myths floating about tsunamis (for example
that another one will come on the 26th etc.) and also to talk about precautions
to avoid cholera outbreaks - which we'll be able to
meet through the programme.
Worldspace is also willing to give us this facility for the other villages
where we're doing regular development programmes, and broadcast from our office
itself directly in a few weeks!
Latest update:: Eureka Science Center at AID Chennai has brought out a Concept Booklet on the Tsunami - both in English and Tamil - in multi-colour format. The Tamil edition is being distributed to the children in the Tsunami areas (with somebody discussing it with them and explaining that they need not fear a Tsunami recurrence). The English version is being sold in Chennai and in other areas at Rs.3/copy. All the money from the sales of these booklets in the outside areas will go towards AID Chennai's Tsunami Relief Work.
Click here for a PDF file of the English version of the booklet
The Tamilnadu government has asked AID Chennai to prepare Tsunami posters using the pictures in this booklet; to be used in all government schools. |
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