Dharamsaala, June 1 – The first Tibetan community FM radio ‘Tashi Delek 90.4 FM’ was launched Tuesday at Upper Tibetan Children’s Village school by His Holiness the Dalai Lama who began a two day teaching on Buddhism here for around 2200 Tibetan youth from five countries.
Today’s teaching of His Holiness marked the first live programme aired on the frequency. The annual teaching, requested by Buddhism Introductory Committee of Dharamsala (BICD), is the fourth since it was started in 2007.
The radio program which boasts to be the first licensed Community Radio Station (CRS) in the Indian Himalayan region will be aired on 90.4 megahertz.
“It is an honor for Tibetan Children’s Village that we have His Holiness the Dalai Lama to inaugurate our Radio station today” said Tsewang Yeshi, President of Tibetan Children’s Village school. “The purpose of this Radio station is to serve the local Tibetan and Indian communities, educating them about health and social issues and at the same time providing information and entertainment.”
The radio station is currently staffed by a station manager with content contribution from 6 students and 5 staff volunteers who have received short-term training in reporting, anchoring and broadcasting.
“I have always been fascinated by the role of radio broadcasting in building up a community” said Tenzin Dadon, a ninth standard student of the school. “The opportunity to serve the community while in school through radio technology is very encouraging.”
Tashi Delek 90.4 FM is aired out of a relay station especially built in the school auditorium of the Tibetan Children’s Village school.
The radio station which is the first of its kind in the exile Tibetan community is currently run with donated equipment and funds from donors. “We have received equipment like used recorders and microphones and we very much appreciate people to donate old and used equipment for our station,” station manager Kalsang Tsewang told phayul.
Source : http://www.phayul.com
