India’s first ever radio dedicated to fishermen launched in Ramanathapuram

A fisherman in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu has set up the country’s first radio channel for his fishing community. Armstrong Fernando, a fisherman, has launched ‘Kadal Osai FM 90.4’, India’s first and only radio channel for fishermen.

In Ramanathapuram, Armstrong Fernando, a fisherman from Pamban, ​​has been interested in listening to radio since childhood. He had had a penchant for the radio and the likes of it ever since he was a child. Upon hearing that there had been a dedicated radio channel started for farmers, the thought of having a similar one for fishermen had occurred to him. This channel is to serve as an information passageway for fishermen, and carry regular news updates and such.

Speaking about the project, he said that the channel is to be dedicated to the fishing community. It is also to feature women’s folk songs, fishermen’s music and performances related to the region.

Armstrong said that 80% of Pamban’s population was engaged in fishing, and that this channel has been started to aid them. His channel is now accessible at a radius of 5-10 km. Armstrong is requesting the government to increase the limits and extend it to the whole island.

Meanwhile, the Kadal Osai FM 90.4 is gradually making a significant impact on the fishing community across the Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, which is located between peninsular India and Sri Lanka. While the channel is managed by Gayatri, there are at least 12 part-time fishermen and women employed with the station.