India Book of Records certifies Hill RJ feat

RJ Samir Chhetri recognised as First RJ of the first community radio run by a college in North Bengal and entire northeast India

DIKSHA RUPASA,  KURSEONG, 3 OCTOBER 20 :A radio journalist working with the first community radio in Darjeeling Hills has made it to the India Book of Records.

Programme coordinator and founder member of Radio Salesian, the first Nepali language broadcasting Community Radio in India, RJ Samir Chhetri, a native of Sonada, was recognised as the "first RJ of the first community radio run by a college in North Bengal and entire northeast India."

"This recognition of RJ Samir is a matter of pride for our community radio and inspiration for younger radio journalists to make their mark," said station director Fr CM Paul. Since the inception of Radio Salesian 90.8 FM in August 2016, RJ Samir has been the programme coordinatort here, broadcasting mainly in Nepali langunge. Besides training some 15 local youths in becoming radio journalists, RJ Samir has also trained 12 BA Mass Communication students of Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, during the summer and winterbreaks.

RJ Samir started his career in Gangtok and moved on to Kathmandu after which he returned and worked in Siliguri before joining Radio Salesian in August 2016. Radio Salesian is run by Salesian College, Sonada, established in Gorabari village in 1938.

The first community radio of the hills has also started training three radio journalists for the Lepcha Development Board to air weekly programmes in the Lepcha language on Radio Salesian 90.8 FM- The Voice of the Hills. The weekly programmes will also be available on web radio 'Radiosalesian' on 'Listen2MyRadio' app. West Bengal Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board chairman and member secretary jointly nominated Suk Tshering Lepcha, Liesa Lepcha and Gilbert Lepcha of Kalimpong to undergo a one-month intense, hands-on radio journalist training with Radio Salesian from 21 September to 20 October this year.

"At the end of this one-month training, the interns will be able to handle all aspects of radio content creation, programme packaging and delivery as well as radio programme production and studio management," RJ Samir, who has trained three batches of the Assam Don Bosco University students in the past two years. said. All live Ws currently working with Radio Salesian have been trained under the same programme coordinator.

"It is mandatory for community radio to promote indigenous and ethnic cultures and languages of the local population. As such, we consider it our privilege to collaborate with 18 distinct Tribal Development Boards in the hills," Fr Paul said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Lepcha internship progrmme, the principal of Salesian College, Fr George Thadathil, said, "Radio Salesian is committed to the Nepali-speaking community of Darjeeling, which is a conglomerate of diverse ethnic groups that made a mark over a century of modern education, redefining their distinctive identities by melding them into the people and culture of Darjeeling, having its own flavour as does DarjeelingTea."

(Courtesy & source- The Statesman- https://epaper.thestatesman.com/2844643/Siliguri-The-Statesman/04-TH-OCTOBER-2020#page/2/3)