Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) [India]Nov 03 (ANI): A fisherman from Pamban town, Ramanathapuram district has launched ‘Kadal Osai FM 90.4’, India’s first and only radio channel for fishermen.
It offers infotainment for listeners – from Navy and COVID-19 news to folk songs sung by fishermen/women and songs from movies.
Armstrong Fernando, a fisherman from Pamban listened to the radio since his childhood. Fernando studied to level 8, grew up in the industry and traveled to various places to listen to community radio for farmers. Later, he planned to start a radio for his fishing community.
“Nearly 80% of the people of Pamban are engaged in fishing. It was started to help them. Our transmission range is now 5-10 kilometers. The government should increase the range and pave the way for it to be broadcast on Pamban Island,” said Armstrong Fernando, director and founder of ‘Kasal Osai FM 90.4‘.
“Due to government regulations regarding the proximity of the Indian and Sri Lankan islands to the international border, island fishermen are only allowed to stay at sea for 24 hours. The fish they could catch during this time were sold at no any cost ashore. Sometimes information is collected and transmitted as to where there are more fish, as well as how they move during high speed waves or storms,” he added.
This radio becomes an integral part of daily fishing life. Kadal Osai FM 90.4 is making a significant impact on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu as it conveys maritime safety awareness to the latest information on social distancing, creating more alternative livelihoods.
Fishermen residing on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, located between peninsular India and Sri Lanka call it their radio station.
Apart from the station manager Gayatri, the other 12 station staff are part-time fishermen or members of their families.
Students, housewives and fishermen experience the daily happenings of the city as this channel benefits the local community.
It also serves as a direct link between the government and the community to quickly solve people’s problems, from receiving government incentives to buying tokens for fishing. (ANI)
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