Radio Programme on HIV & AIDS got Acia-Pacific Brodcasting Union (ABU) Award

[Guest guest]

Once again All India Radio is on news.This time All India Radio, Jeypore won the

prestigious ABU Prize on HIV/AIDS programme for its programme Janile Jiniba(Know

and Win).

Based on the interviews of 14 HIV positive persons, the objective of the

programme was to dispel the fear and stigma attached to HIV. The producer of the

programme is Sri Ashok Kumar Mishra.

A similar kind of programme (docu-drama) is also being brodcast in the same

title in All India Radio, Jeypore for the tribal community of undivided Koraput

districts of Orissa in their own " Desia " dialect, sponsered by Orissa State AIDS

Control Society(OSACS) since last 1 and half year.

I am personally the happiest person as the advocacy efforts that was undertaken

two years back with such media organisations, when I was in OSACS, is taking

shape by getting national and international attention. Here, I would also like

to congratulate NACO for giving free hands for creativity to its IEC officers in

the states.

More than 200 member producers of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union spreading

over 58 countries participated in the various contests of ABU and the final

nomination and prize distribution ceremony was held at Ulaan Bataar, the capital

city of Mongolia on 5th October, 2009.

Since 1992 Sri Mishra has won more than a dozen National Awards in the Akashvani

Annual Awards and this is his third International Award. However this time his

programme has been adjudged the best one and the award includes a medal,

certificate and a cash prize of 1000 USD.

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) is a non-profit, non-government,

professional association of broadcasting organizations, formed in 1964 to

facilitate the development of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region and to

organize co-operative activities amongst its members. It currently has over 200

members in 58 countries, reaching a potential audience of about 3 billion

people.

Most of the ABU's associate members comprise European and North American

broadcasters, many of whom have operations in Asia, and pay-TV and cable

operators in the Asia-Pacific. Its affiliate members include satellite

providers, telcos, production companies, equipment vendors and regulators.

The ABU is the third largest of the world's eight broadcasting unions, but

covers the largest geographic area of the world. For more information, please

visit www.abu.org.

All hearty congartulations to AIR Jeypore and Mr. Mishra for his initiative.

Manoj Kandher

PFI, New Delhi

e-mail: <manoj_kandher15@...>