MUMBAI: Following the horrific attacks on the city of Mumbai on 26th November,2008 , 94.3 FM Radio One, the Station for the Fataafat Generation, immediately galvanised its programming to address the concerns of citizens allowing them to express their sorrow ,anger, shock and frustration over the lack of security and protection provided by existing political machinery.
Championing the cause of unity and action through its slogan “One Spirit. One Mumbai.” played 4 times an hour the station also highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s message of “Being the change you want to see in the world” and encouraged people to join the protest march at Gateway of India on 3rd December at 6 PM.
In keeping with the sombre mood of the city, the station dropped its usual fun and frivolous segments such as Ghanta Singhs, Fataafat Films and Humour Segments for the week and instead focussed on giving a chance to city’s residents to voice their point of view. Radio One also recorded messages from over a thousand people who called in with support messages and encouraged fellow residents to join the Gateway of India march on the 3rd of December. Celebrities such as Rahul Bose and Abhay Deol joined the Mumbai Fataafat show with Jaggu and Tarana to speak about their experience and point of view on the inhuman terror strikes, while Programming Manager Malini, who was at the Express Towers next to the Trident hotel was stuck for an entire night before escaping and coming in straight to the studios, shared her story. The show had also featured original compositions by local artists with their sentiments on the terror attacks. The station drew from inspirational blogs such as Suketu Mehta’s where he encouraged people across the world to visit Mumbai and in doing giving the best answer possible to terrorists by beating their purpose of damaging the economy and life.
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The station also highlighted MiD DAY’s efforts on this front publicising the newspaper’s helpline that offered information to those looking for information on loved ones from hospitals, directions on where to take people who were injured, lists of casualties and more.
Says Raj Gopal Iyer, Station Head West, Radio One, “In times such as these, we at Radio One believe that being united is the best way to express strength. Citizens of the city are looking for information on ways in which they can channel their feelings constructively. Radio One’s efforts have been focussed on providing them this avenue, by inviting them to speak their minds on air, by inviting them to join a formal protest rally at Gateway of India, by sharing thoughts from opinion leaders, writers, actors, sportspeople etc. and offering clarity on where to get information on loved ones, casualties, blood banks etc
Radio One has 6 stations operating in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune and Ahmedabad and will soon launch in Kolkotta.
