Where radio still a culture

Radio has played an active role during the Liberation War. Bangladesh Betar was the only means that time to transmit a message. But nowadays a few people are seen listening to radio in the arena of technology. Most of those who still listen to the radio are pre-independence generations.

Many people still have to keep radio as traditional culture. They have formed a radio listeners' club named Malibari Radio Listeners' Club at their village Malibari in Panchagram union of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila. The club has 50 members.

The club has been formed by the elders in this village. Each of the club members has a radio at home. When they get time, they come to the club with radio to hang-out.

Panir Uddin, 75, president of Malibari Radio Listeners' Club, said he set up the first radio listeners' club in the village after independence. Its activities remained halted for some years.

Again in 2008, he formed the Radio Listeners' Club and registered it with Rangpur Radio Station, he said, adding that their club is doing well at present.

He also added that the members of Malibari Radio Listeners' Club feel comfortable listening to agricultural and health related programmes. They also love to listen to Rangpur region's interesting folksongs-- Bhawaiya.

Their culture is intertwined with radio, said Panir.

Mantosh Chandra Roy, 66, general secretary of the club, said there is no radio listeners' club anywhere in Lalmonirhat. It is only in their village. Each of the members of the club has a radio at home.

"Usually radio is not available in the market and there is no radio makers like before. So, we have to face trouble while buying new radio or repair it," he said, adding that "All the members of our radio listeners' club are over 60 years of age."

Freedom fighter Maqbool Hossain, 69, a member of the club, said "Radio played an important role in the country's great Liberation War. It was the preferred means of communication for our forces at that period."

Asma Begum, 63, a member of the club, said women are also members of the club. They come here and listen to the radio. Women also listen to agricultural programmes to help their families.