Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 385/05

GYAN VANI FM STATION INAUGURATED

The Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Mr Arjun Singh has formally inaugurated the Indira Gandhi National Open University’s (IGNOU) Gyan Vani FM Station at the Administrative Staff College, Dispur, Assam today in the presence of the Assam Chief Minister, Mr Tarun Gogoi, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D.D. Lapang, Mizoram Chief Minister, Mr Zoramthanga, other Ministers and high dignitaries of the region.

In his inaugural speech Mr. Arjun Singh said that the Gyan Vani FM which was popular with the youth will be an effective channel in disseminating education, and will supplement the teaching-learning process by reaching the learners through a low cost popular medium for the best interest of the region in particular and the country in general.

Dr. D.D. Lapang in his brief speech said that Gyan Vani is a new channel and forum where people can meet together. It is an achievement in the field of distance education and through this channel educated youth who have been misguided also could be brought back to the main stream, he added.

In Shillong, the Chairman, Meghalaya Economic Development Council Mr. R.G. Lyngdoh while attending an inaugural function held at IGNOU’s Regional Centre, Pohktieh, Shillong, in his speech said that, the introduction of the Gyan Vani FM Station will provide a forum for the local youth to showcase their talent. With the help of this channel it will accelerate the process of disseminating of education, and the masses will be more socially and culturally knowledgeable.

The primary objective of the Gyan Vani is to use radio as an effective tool for distance education and information dissemination without the need for electricity or even while on the move. The IGNOU’s FM Station Shillong will broadcasts on a frequency of 103.6 Mg from 5 to 8 PM daily in English, Khasi and Hindi. The broadcasts will carry a wide range of programmes having educational content and value, rural development, health, entertainment, culture, literature, social issues, career counseling, teacher training and others.

It may be mentioned that this Gyan Vani FM Station Shillong will be the first independent FM Radio Station in Meghalaya. At the initial stage the broadcast and studio services will be provided by the All India Radio but IGNOU will have it own full fledged FM Studio at Shillong in the immediate future.