.
Broadcast Engineering Society(India), Pune chapter organised an event at AIR auditorium, Shivajinagar Pune in the eve of Public Service Broadcasting Day involving students from leading Media Institutes of Pune and the members of the Local Chapter. The Chief Guest of the event was Shri Sandeep Bhalerao, a Dedicated Visually Impaired Listener of Akashvani.
Before the formal launch of the program ,tribute was given to our beloved colleague Late Shri Sagar Raut who was our, very sincere and hard working employee and recently passed away at an age of just 36 years due to a severe heart attack.
At the outset, Shri Ravindra Ranjekar, Hon. Secretary BES(I) Pune Chapter welcomed the gathering and briefed the audience about the activities of BES(I) at National and Local level. After the inaugural speech,The Chapter felicitated Ms. Tejashri Kamble, PEX Akashvani Pune for the cherishable services to Public Service Broadcasting through the programme "Mala Kai Sangaiche" (I have to say something). The Chapter also felicitated Shri A.S. Suryawanshi, Engineering Head, AIR Sangli for the dedicated and exemplary leadership and teamwork by providing continuous Broadcast Services to the affected Public in the recent Disastrous flood situation in Sangli (Maharashtra) area. Both the awardees interacted with the young participants and effectively inspired them. In a brief emotional speech, Shri Bhalero said that he will never forget this day in his life. He has been a vivid listener and has attended many programmes in this auditorium sitting in audience, but sitting on Dias, that too as Chief Guest was unimaginable.
A highly charged symposium / inter collegiate debate on the topic - Public Service Broadcasting in India - Expectations, Relevance and Challenges conducted by Shri Nitin Kelkar, RNU head was thrill of the day. The discussions were so inclusive that the event continued for over three hours. Winner and Runner up teams were awarded trophies and all the twelve participants were given certificate of participation. The event was planned by Smt. Sangeeta Upadhye, Vice Chairperson, Broadcast Engineering Society(India), Pune chapter and was executed by a battery of volunteers - Smt. CS Kulkarni, Jyoti Ranjekar, Jyoti Kulwar, Rashmi Rimjhim, Nilesh Ghatole, SD Gangapure, V. Murthy and others. Smt. Neelima Patwardhan, PEX, AIR Pune and Smt. Mridula Ghodke, former News reader were not only the part of Jury but also addressed the students, the budding Media persons.
Speaking at the event Shri Ashish Bhatnagar, Chairman BES(I) Pune Chapter emphasized the role of Public Service Broadcaster and appealed the youth to get involved and tune the Public Service Broadcasting to their frequencies. He also said that for a public service broadcaster, it's most common listener is the true 'Aradhya', the most important being and calling Shri Bhalerao, our Visually Impaired dedicated listener as Chief Guest is the testimony to it.
All the faculty members and students of the Media Institutes profusely thanked the organisers and requested that such events be held every year. Anchoring of the programme was nicely done by Smt.Jyoti Ranjekar, BES member and SEA, AIR Pune. The function ended with vote of thanks from Shri Ashok Bhapkar, Hon. Treasurer, Broadcast Engineering Society(India), Pune chapter, followed by high tea and informal interaction between the students and Prasar Bharati professionals, which enriched both.