Bhubaneswar : Amidst the confusion created by the explosion of information about the Covid-19 pandemic, the Community Radio of the SOA Deemed to be University has been making diligent efforts to enlighten the public as to how keep away from the deadly virus.
Voice of SOA Community 90.4, working in collaboration with UNICEF, has been regularly airing programs to inform the community on the need for wearing of mask, regular hand washing and maintenance of social distance to avoid the virus.
In its special program ‘Sarve Bhawantu Sukhina’, the community radio has been inviting experts and doctors from the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, SOA’s faculty of medicine, to its studios to inform the people about the Corona virus and as to how they should stay away from the infection. Researchers from SOA also enlightened the listeners about the virus.
Psychologists also join discussion panels frequently to talk about mental health issues for all while Asha Karmis and ANMs talk about safety precautions, the need for proper exercise and nutrition. Impactful skits and jingles have been created surrounding subjects about home isolation, home care of patients, stigmas, discriminations and taking care of the elderly.
Information about the Antigen and RT-PCR tests, plasma therapy, need for plasma donation and taking care of patients suffering from cancer, diabetes and hypertension during the pandemic are aired in Odia, Hindi and English regularly. ‘SOA Youngistan’, a popular program involving student radio jockeys of SOA, is aired twice a week while digital programs are made on issues relating to Covid-19 with the students connecting with each other from their homes.
Social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook have become an extended part of SOA Community Radio setting new milestones while educational material including those contributed by NCERT are regularly broadcast benefitting students from slums in a big way.
A program called ‘Mission Corona’ is being aired in association with UNICEF and Community Radio Association (CRA) since June with ten episodes. Two new programs on agriculture, styled as ‘SOA Agriculture’ and ‘Badi Bagicha’ are also being broadcast twice a week which has become very popular. Experts from the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS), SOA’s faculty of agriculture, are invited to the studios to air their views on farming including mushroom cultivation by women, pest control, organic farming, terrace gardening, seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables. Cultivation is considered a good method to help the mind relax and keep the body fit during this stressful period.
The radio has also been airing ‘Yoga Lessons’ and hosted a special program on nutritional diet for children and pregnant women as September is observed as ‘Nutritional Month’. The SOA Community Radio has also several active listener groups within the urban community as also in local slums, said Honey Patnaik, Officer in Charge of the radio station.
