![]() Human civilization spoke through the growth and progress of scientific gizmos. As time perplexed itself with the complexities of age and space; the demands of the mind altered and radio programmes were bend more at infotainment. The launching of the FM stations in the recent era has been a clear witness to the growing popularity of infotainment. The AIR was the Government's communicative bridge with the local mass and the various programmes were only the spokes medium of the government. The news reporting through radio customarily presented the government's point of view and there was hardly any public interaction. The newsreaders used to narrate their script and the audience would listen to the frequency according to their choice. However as the privatization of Radio occurred it changed the whole scenario and India suddenly woke up to the voice of the RJ's. The numerous talk shows, game shows and the Famous Indian Radio Personalities paved the way for popularization of the medium. Bengal has been the seat of socio-cultural renaissance and the Fm stations only increase the vibrancy of the ongoing flow. Aamar FM, Radio Protitee, Friends 91.9 FM and so on. Some communication experts believe that an increased and accelerated commercialisation of radio will eventually cut down the costs of FM radio sets, thus making local radio even more available to the extreme rural areas of the country. Presently, radio broadcasting is done in 24 languages and 146 dialects all across India and there are 104 million radio households in the country, using approximately 111 million radio sets. Radio Mirchi, Red Fm, are the other worth to mention FM channels. The inclusion of FM facility in mobile phones and portable pocket radios have added to the popularity quotient of this medium in every nook and corner of urban areas. Although the transmitters have not reached the extreme corners, developments assure quick installation; a recent survey shows that Indian radio reaches out to almost 97.3% of the country's population and 91% of the country's geographical area. A March 1996 survey, says that there had been around 186 radio-broadcasting centres, 148 medium wave transmitters, 51 short wave transmitters and 94 VHF/FM transmitters in India. |