Indian Broadcasters Close

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 26, 8 January 1932, Page 26

Indian Broadcasters Close

Lack of Funds QWIN G to a serious lack of funds the Indian Government has found it necessary to close down every broadcasting station throughout the country. It was on July 28, 1927, that the Indian Broadcasting Company’s first sta-tion-Bombay-was opened, to be followed shortly afterwards by the inauguration of the Calcutta station, It was hoped at the time that a third transmitter at Madras would be opened in due course. It was recognised by all who understood anything of Indian con ditions that the problem which broadcasting in that country presented would be a difficult one to Solve. The mixed communities, the relatively small number of Huropeans and educated Indians, together with the vast number of illiterates, of an infinite variety of castes and creeds, made of broadcasting in India something entirely different from what it was in any other country in which that service had been introduced. Although broadcasting was commenced with an English trained staff, and therefore, under the best auspices, the financial difficulty was an everpresent menace. The odds against ultimate success were tremendous, and 2 stern fight was put up. Not many months ago the whole broadcasting service was taken over by the Government, but it was soon evident to those in charge that the losses were too great to be borne indefinitely; hence the recent decision.