As a budding RJ, Asha Jhabhak, a first-year MA communication student of MOP Vaishnav College, Chennai, is very enthusiastic about her experience in All India Radio (AIR), Chennai. Her interest in this field was kindled when her father used to listen to the radio when they travelled in the car together. “I was so fascinated that I always kept tuning to frequencies, which played feet tapping numbers,” she says. She started calling up radio shows and requested her favourite songs.
There was a point when she used to stand in front of the mirror, hosting imaginary shows. This deepened her resolve to become an RJ. Asha got to know about AIR, through her colleague when she was working in C2. “When he shared his experience as an RJ, I let him know my passion for the hot seat and auditioned at AIR,” says the 21-year-old. Being passionate about her work, Asha doesn’t find it difficult to manage studies and work. She hosts evening shows and prepares for them in advance. “This experience has been wonderful. Radio is one medium that will never die,” she says with fervour. Asha explains that she has learnt a lot of things by being live on air. One of them is the realisation that one cannot afford to make mistakes. Time management is another thing that the show has taught her. Her family has been very supportive of her job and tunes in everytime she hosts a show. In future, she aspires to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and still continue being an RJ.
— malavikkasridharan@gmail.com