My Inspired work during Covid-19 Pandemic.

As covid 19 has caused fear and panic in the minds of people worldwide, I prefer to stay back at home past 3 months for safety of myself and my family. I had faced a lot of problems when doing college lectures online, interacting with friends and teachers, also covid 19 run havoc inside my mind. I was became very sensitive. But I would like to mention that the lessons I had learned in my upbringing has solutions to all problems I had faced. My guru has always said that you have to sacrifice something to achieve greater goodness. Even though I had a problem with the internet I had wandered on empty lands, even climbed the trees to fetch the internet connectivity. 

Finally, the month of June father said, "Let's go to the market in near town, Mhaswad."  I quickly replied to that, what,s the point in going to the town when corona has run havoc in the whole country.  In reply to it my father angrily said, “what we should suppose to eat then”. Although his point of view was right and eventually we went to the town market for grocery shopping.

While returning to home, I saw the building of Mandeshi Mahila Bank and Mandeshi Radio Center and immediately thought arose what if I join the internship program with Mandeshi Tarang Vahini until my college starts. It will build a different experience and will help to have interaction with the peoples working in the radio industry. That thought give array of hope and I quickly went into the office. 

I saw Mr. Sachin Menkudale, Assistant Director of Mandeshi radio station, seating in his chair talking with someone on call. He asked me to seat and wait outside the cabin. After 10 min he asked me to come inside cabin and asked whether you want internship in the radio station. I replied, yes sir I want to join until my college starts. He asked me about my experience and the department in which I would love to work. I paused for a little, I became anxious and was no idea what to say. I gently replied in a hope, “I am student of Mass Media and recently completed 1st year of college. I have also worked for a month in Muktagiri news channel”. After lots of if’s and but’s he finally offered to give internship on condition that I need to do field work for Week. I instantly replied, “Yes”. He was impressed to see prompt replied in this testing time to do the field work and he offered me an internship saying we will decide about the payment after some days based on your work and you can join from tomorrow. I was very glad returning to my home and thanked father for convince me to come with him.

Next day I reached to radio station early in the morning. For the two days there was induction program where I have learnt everything about the program conducted through radio station, met colleagues. From third day I started to do the field work. I have visited 7 different villages and accumulated feedback from the listeners of radio. The feedback was taken from variety of listeners based on age, gender and professions. During this I realize that elderly peoples and woman’s in the villages are not able to get proper information on precautions to take for corona. When I went back to radio station I had discussion with the Mr. Sachin Menkudale, he was impressed and starts new program for this vulnerable peoples. 

I also observed when I interviewed school students that due to poor internet connectivity and for some financial problems they aren’t getting basic education as schools are shut down due to corona pandemic. I quickly raise this issue with Mrs. Chetna Sinha and she started a new program “My School” under which a teachers for each subject conducts an online radio lecture for children’s.

Later along with colleague’s we had created an audio radio documentary on Blind elder woman. Woman was residing at Mhasalvadi village in Man Tehsil. Mandeshi tarang vahini had given a radio to her for listening songs and various programs. Documentary was based on the changes happened in her life through Radio. 

I was truly a learning curve of my life. I was understood the importance and role radio plays in someone’s life. During those days I have interacted with lot of legendary peoples from radio through “Zoom meetings”, worked on a lot of new projects. This had given me immense confidence as person that yes I can do lot of new stuffs even I don’t have experience. 

Now I am working as R.J. in Mandeshi Tarang Vahini. I do read news headlines, inspirational stories daily for listeners. I proudly say that listeners often share word of praise on me. In my college, students were seen laughing on me and judging me over my appearance and language. Today I feel very proud on myself that I was a step ahead of them. I also write blogs. Please do read and share with your friends. I heartily thank to all who have supported me in this journey. I need your blessings as its very long way forward. I am very grateful for Mandeshi Tarang Vahini, especially Mr. Sachin Menkudale for trusting me and giving me such opportunity. Lastly to my parents for supporting me in this testing times.

Thank you all…..!

-Blogger Akash Raychand Shinde.