GUWAHATI, Dec 29 � It is very true that technological advancements also create a feeling of nostalgia. As the process of digitization of the All India Radio (AIR), Guwahati continues, a whiff of nostalgia is also enveloping the unit that has over the years provided a platform to many artistes of the State to showcase their creativity.
The unit that saw its inception as the Shillong Guwahati station on July 1, 1948 is keen to give this longing for old memories a permanent form by preserving the old equipments that were part of the recording and transmission process.
With its glorious history and close association with the common people, the unit is also looking ahead to face the challenges of the times with elan. It needs to be mentioned here that since its inception to becoming a full-fledged regional station, the Guwahati station of AIR has flourished in the company of cultural and literary stalwarts of the State like Nabakanta Barua, Syed Abdul Malik, Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya, Dr Bhupen Hazarika and many others.
�All India Radio Guwahati can take pride on its contribution towards the society. In keeping with the changing times, the programmes broadcast by the unit have also undergone changes and we are ready to face the challenges that have emerged with the popularity of print and electronic media,� said Aseem Kumar Kazi, programme executive, All India Radio, Guwahati.
As a step towards tackling the challenges of the times, the unit is eyeing towards accomplishing total digitization by the end of 2014. According to TSK Pillai, Deputy Director General (engineering), All India Radio, Guwahati, this particular medium of mass communication will be revolutionized in Assam in the next couple of years.
�Digital radio is yet to be launched in the State for the masses. Once this is achieved, we hope to meet the challenges that we are facing now,� said Pillai.
To bring to the notice of the public its growth and evolution over the decades, the unit has put up an exhibition at the ongoing North East Book Fair at the Chandmari engineering institute ground here. On Sunday, the exhibition stall witnessed curious visitors looking closely at the equipments and raising various queries before the officials of the unit.
The growth of the unit is equally interesting as its contribution towards enrichment of culture. The various programmes for women, children and young people are still popular and the radio drama had been able to create history of sort because of instant popularity with the listeners. The tunes of the unit at different time of the day acted as a clock once for the masses and even now the programmes from morning to evening remind the rural listeners about the progress of the day till it is time to hit the sack.
�Our unit has the voices of all cultural and literary luminaries of the State,� said Kazi.
The list of the illustrious sons of the soil who were associated with the unit is endless. The cultural icon of the State Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was an organization alone in the unit. He not only wrote songs and sang, he also produced musical plays for radio broadcasting. The unit provided the listeners a newness with the evergreen and heart touching compositions of Nirmalprobha Bordoloi who also directed a few of the programmes such as �Aideur Buloni�.
The unit according to its officials is ready for the journey ahead.