May 31st 2019 - it may be his last working day in All India Radio, but the word 'retirement' is not present in his dictionary. True to his self, Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara was busy even on his last day of service, with work in his section – 'Farm and Home' at All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram. "It is only a retirement formally from service, but my legs are firmly put on soil. There is no retirement for a farmer" – so said Shri. Muraleedharan in his departing speech. Yes, Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara was a programmer with a farmer's mind. He spoke the language that common farmers could connect very easily, from which they gathered timely information and thereby taking Akashvani closer to their hearts. By taking 'Vayalum Veedum', the Farm & Home programme in Malayalam, broadcast by Kerala Stations of AIR, to the farmers and rural areas, Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara was instrumental in making Akashvani, a friend of everyone related to agriculture in the State. Marginal farmers, Agriculture Scientists, Government and non-government officials and even Ministers eagerly listened as well as participated in the 'Vayalum Veedum' broadcast.
Shri. Muraleedharan joined All India Radio Kozhikode in 1992 as a Farm Radio Reporter. He is a graduate in Agriculture Science from Kerala Agricultural University. Before joining AIR, he had also worked in Kerala Agricultural University for 10 years. He was transferred to All India Radio Thiruvananthapuram in 1998 and was promoted as Programme Executive in 2013. He was in charge of the Farm & Home of Section in AIR Thiruvananthapuram for long 21 years. Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara is also a recipient of numerous awards during his tenure, including Akashvani Annual Awards, National Award from Coconut Development Board for Agriculture Extension activities, Dr. B R Ambedkar Radio Media Award and 'Haritha Mudra' Award instituted by Government of Kerala, 'Guru Pooja' Award from Kerala Sangeeth Natak Academy and so on. Ten books written by him were published by various leading publishers in the State, like National Book Stall, State Language Institute, State Children's' Literature Institute and others. He had written and produced hundreds of radio documentaries and numerous episodes of very popular special rural oriented composite programme, 'Radio Gramarangam'. The interviews he conducted with experienced farmers, experts, officials and even ministers were well received by all farming enthusiasts in the State. Many senior personalities in this field often described Shri. Muraleedharan and 'Vayalum Veedum', as the voice of Agriculture in Kerala.
One of the greatest achievements in the career of Shri. Muraleedharan was the leadership role he had played in the successful conduct of grand Golden Jubilee Celebrations of 'Vayalum Veedum' broadcast in Kerala. Honorable Governor of Kerala, Chief Minister and other Ministers, higher officials and common farmers from across the State attended the year long programme, concluded with a grand Valedictory function at Thiruvananthapuram.
In addition to his regular duties, Shri Muraleedharan Thazhakara had also taken leadership of Employee Recreation Club, Departmental Canteen and Employee Co-operative Society at the Station for many years. He was also instrumental in gaining several branded sponsorship contracts for AIR. To summarize, Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara was an all-rounder and a very hard working employee of All India Radio and a committed farm journalist loyal to the benefit of farmers.
Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara attributes his strength to the support from his family consisting of his wife, Smt. S Krishnakumari (Officer in Indian Bank), daughter Smt. L Manjulekshmy (IAS officer in Maharashtra cadre), son Shri. M Balamuraleekrishna (Administrative Officer, National Insurance Company), son-in-law Shri. G Sabareesh (Deputy Commissioner, DRI Kozhikode) and daughter-in-law Smt. C R Vandana (Central Secretariat). Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara will always remain as a role model, who showed the power of Public Service Broadcasting and how to use it effectively for the benefit of deserving sections in society. Let him be blessed with all strength and health to zealously continue with his efforts to contribute more for the benefit of Agriculture and society in his post retirement life.
Prasar Bharathi Parivar wish him a peaceful, healthy and joyful future life.
Shri. Muraleedharan joined All India Radio Kozhikode in 1992 as a Farm Radio Reporter. He is a graduate in Agriculture Science from Kerala Agricultural University. Before joining AIR, he had also worked in Kerala Agricultural University for 10 years. He was transferred to All India Radio Thiruvananthapuram in 1998 and was promoted as Programme Executive in 2013. He was in charge of the Farm & Home of Section in AIR Thiruvananthapuram for long 21 years. Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara is also a recipient of numerous awards during his tenure, including Akashvani Annual Awards, National Award from Coconut Development Board for Agriculture Extension activities, Dr. B R Ambedkar Radio Media Award and 'Haritha Mudra' Award instituted by Government of Kerala, 'Guru Pooja' Award from Kerala Sangeeth Natak Academy and so on. Ten books written by him were published by various leading publishers in the State, like National Book Stall, State Language Institute, State Children's' Literature Institute and others. He had written and produced hundreds of radio documentaries and numerous episodes of very popular special rural oriented composite programme, 'Radio Gramarangam'. The interviews he conducted with experienced farmers, experts, officials and even ministers were well received by all farming enthusiasts in the State. Many senior personalities in this field often described Shri. Muraleedharan and 'Vayalum Veedum', as the voice of Agriculture in Kerala.
One of the greatest achievements in the career of Shri. Muraleedharan was the leadership role he had played in the successful conduct of grand Golden Jubilee Celebrations of 'Vayalum Veedum' broadcast in Kerala. Honorable Governor of Kerala, Chief Minister and other Ministers, higher officials and common farmers from across the State attended the year long programme, concluded with a grand Valedictory function at Thiruvananthapuram.
In addition to his regular duties, Shri Muraleedharan Thazhakara had also taken leadership of Employee Recreation Club, Departmental Canteen and Employee Co-operative Society at the Station for many years. He was also instrumental in gaining several branded sponsorship contracts for AIR. To summarize, Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara was an all-rounder and a very hard working employee of All India Radio and a committed farm journalist loyal to the benefit of farmers.
Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara attributes his strength to the support from his family consisting of his wife, Smt. S Krishnakumari (Officer in Indian Bank), daughter Smt. L Manjulekshmy (IAS officer in Maharashtra cadre), son Shri. M Balamuraleekrishna (Administrative Officer, National Insurance Company), son-in-law Shri. G Sabareesh (Deputy Commissioner, DRI Kozhikode) and daughter-in-law Smt. C R Vandana (Central Secretariat). Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara will always remain as a role model, who showed the power of Public Service Broadcasting and how to use it effectively for the benefit of deserving sections in society. Let him be blessed with all strength and health to zealously continue with his efforts to contribute more for the benefit of Agriculture and society in his post retirement life.
Prasar Bharathi Parivar wish him a peaceful, healthy and joyful future life.
Information about other retiring officers (of all grades and disciplines) may be added on the blog. Please mail details of retiring friends from your station to pbparivar@gmail.com
Retiring friends may also like to address their friends through this blog for which they can send their photo & write-ups to pbparivar@gmail.com for possible upload on the blog.
Contributed by:- Shri. Sandeep Suresh , Transmission Executive ,AIR Thiruvananthapuram, air.sandeep@hotmail.com.