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Have
you heard of Raghav Mahato of Mansoorpur, near
Patna and his radio station? Raghav is in his
early twenties. Raghav has placed his radio wave
transmission station, a box strung to antenna on
the top of a 3-storied hospital building at
Mansoorpur that connects his three
battery-powered tape recorders in his repair
shop- Priya electronics. Mahto plays film and
devotional songs; and through his cordless
microphone he passes polio warnings, gives
details of missing children, asks listeners to
call a neighbourhood public phone booth to place
song requests. The station runs for 10 hours
every day from eight in the morning. Mahto is
yet to register his station, as he can’t afford
to pay the fee. He earns about Rs 2000 every
month from his shop. His father is cancer
patient.
Raghav gave up his studies after class two and
took up odd jobs to help his father rear six
other children. Some five years ago, he got a
job in an electronic goods workshop, and quickly
picked up the rudiments of engineering. He then
set up his own repair shop at Gudri Bazaar. He
started learning the technology that goes into
DVDs, CD players, cordless microphones and other
gadgets. And he says, "In 2003, I thought of
combining these interests to start my own FM
radio station." This was with about 200 tapes
and, as based on rumour, an investment of Rs 50
on the transmission kit. And today, the station
is called, Vaishali Entertainment FM-1.
But the Vaishali District magistrate says, if
Mahto runs a radio station, it violates the
telegraphic Act, and action can be taken against
him if anybody lodges a complaint. However,
Mahto has addicted listeners- mostly farmers and
labourers all around 10 miles of his station.
Some of them say that they were on verge of
giving up on radio before Mahato entered their
lives.
Is this not a unique case of innovation and
entrepreneurship? Will his station flourish or
die the red tape death? I wish some affluent
people come forward and help him getting it
station registered, if needed; and Raghav groups
together some knowledgeable rural experts and
provides other essential services.
Then I came across a telecast of the ‘Discovery’
channel’s programme ‘Beyond Tomorrow’. It
showcased many need-driven products and
functional everyday technologies that grassroots
innovators have developed in different parts of
the country. One was again from Motihari, Bihar.
Mohammad Saidullah has developed the amphibious
bicycle. It is retrofitted to negotiate rivers,
ponds, and other water bodies. Will it not be an
ideal in times of floods? Can some one help him
to get it patented and commercialized for the
benefits of the affected needy people in rural
areas?
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Comments: |
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Trust
you Indra Ji to always come up with
interesting topics. Raghav Mahato
whom you mentioned seems like one of
those impoverished yet brilliant
heroes we see in Hindi films. I am
sure there are many more like him
and Mohammad Saidullah, quietly but
firmly lifting themselves up without
outside help. It is this type of
creative genius that must be
actively nurtured in the nation's
journey to 'superpowerdom'. I wish
them and others of their mettle all
the best, hope some good Samaritan
helps them along the way and that
there will be a successful
conclusion to their quests worthy of
a happy ending in a Desi movie. -
Dr Ignatius Joseph, Malacca,
Malaysia - Mar. 7, 2006 |
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