Indian Newslink 15th June 2016 Digital Edition

JUNE 15, 2016
22 COMMUNITYLINK
At 21, the message gets stronger and louder
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Twenty-One has significance
on several counts.
The Bible calls it ‘A
Number of Perfection,’
that it is a Number of Excellence
3 x 7.
In some cultures, it is considered
to be one of self-respect,
self-esteem and self-confidence,
all of which symbolise positive
qualities.
Twenty-One is also a symbol
representing the unknown superiors
or the great spiritual
Masters of the humanity.
That is the power of
popularity.
Like Robert Khan of Radio
Tarana, the Radio Station which
completes 21 years of its establishment
and broadcasting today
(June 15, 2016).
French psychoanalyst Rene
Allendy said, “Number Twenty-
One denotes the Principle of
Individuality, placed between
the world of the spirit and matter,
realises in itself the meeting
of both.”
Outstanding Winner
As we reported in our June 1,
2016 issue, he was the Winner
for Outstanding Contribution
to Radio at the Annual Radio
New Zealand Awards on May
20, 2016.
The Awards Ceremony, held,
at the Auckland War Memorial
Robert Khan at the Radio New Zealand Awards on May 20, 2016
Museum recognised him
for ‘his exceptional contribution
to Radio in New
Zealand.’
Tarana has indubitably
become the most
popular Indian Radio station
in New Zealand. Its
programmes can be accessed
through the internet
or mobile anywhere
in the world at any time.
People from New Zealand
and other countries call
over the phone or the internet to participate
in the current affairs programme,
question leaders, request for
their favourite film song, greet people
on birthdays, wedding anniversaries
and get to know of people who
leave us. This is a wholesome station
that combines the seriousness of the
newsroom and the friendliness of the
studio to offer a bouquet of services
that have become the fragrance of the
Indian radio listeners.
Unheard of Competition
Competition is the most important
aspect of consumption, because it
provides consumers with choice and
enables them to exercise that choice
to demand the best from those offering
products and services. It encourages
companies to innovate, diversify,
improve the quality of products and
services and offer them at affordable
prices. A market with healthy business
practices emerges for the benefit
of everyone in the community and
the country.
The Captain
The Tarana team is made up of people
with varying talent, approach to
life, vicissitudes and a thousand other
things that constitute a family. Among
them are specialists in local and international
politics, current affairs,
community issues, music, production,
sales, scheduling and accounts;
there are a few who are adept in all
of these. Harnessing these resources
to the benefit of all is a task at which
Managing Director Robert Khan is
a master. How he fosters the family
spirit and leads the team to deliver
the best is in itself a story but as it is
often said, ‘everything fits into place
if you have a clear vision and know
what to do.’
The entertainment market of the
1990s was dominated by a single operator
and breaking the monopoly
was a formidable task.
And when he did, Mr Khan knew he
could get on to a higher media plane.
The thought of a radio station, dedicated
to longer hours was with him
for a while but he awaited the appropriate
moment.
But it was not until the early days of
1996 when opportunity knocked.
Following the official procedures,
purchase of equipment (‘they were
rather expensive’) and placement of
experienced staff, Radio Tarana took
to the air on June 15 that year.
The vision
“The vision from the beginning
was to go 24/7 but a number of loose
ends had to be tied up. Staffing was
the most significant challenge and I
knew Radio Tarana would not have
the wherewithal to be a sleepless station
until all issues were addressed.
Even as we went about organising
ourselves towards that objective,
we were aware such an eventuality
would not come about overnight,” Mr
Khan said.
It took eight years but the march
towards the goal was gradual, with
every step taken firmly on the
ground.
Today, Radio Tarana is a growing
entity but an icon in Indian
broadcasting.