Skip to content Skip to navigation

College Radio launches ‘Aazadi - Freedom Song Competition’ to celebrate diversity

By CM Paul |

Darjeeling: The first college Community Radio in North Bengal launched a creative initiative to mark 75th year of India’s Independence with what it calls ‘Azaadi Freedom Songs’ - a celebration of diversity and harmony.

India snatched its freedom from British colonial rule on 15th August 1947.

Radio Salesian 90.8 FM - The Voice of the Hills based at Salesian College Sonada is the first and only FM radio channel of Darjeeling since 2016.

This Independence Day initiative by Radio Salesian is in collaboration with two youth groups : Darjeeling NGO Mukh Bandh Kaam Suru (Shut Up Start Work) and Salesian Youth Movement Kolkata.

“It is our humble effort to promote fraternity, liberty, equality and celebrate diversity through the creative medium of music video,” says Principal of Salesian College Siliguri / Sonada Fr. George Thadathil at a virtual launch of the event held at Dhajea campus, 24th May 2021.

Freedom Songs competition consists of a group activity with two or more persons in which a song with original lyrics and melody is composed and sung in English or Nepali language and video recorded.

“We want to celebrate and promote unity in diversity, communal harmony, brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity, love, friendship, compassion, tolerance and acceptance of each other,” says Radio Salesian Programme Director RJ Samir explaining the theme of the competition. 

Samir adds, “Songs must fight hatred, violence against women, intolerance and other caustic and divisive activities which divide people in the lines of ethnic, linguistic or religious affiliation.”

In these pandemic times, youth groups are encouraged to register in Google Form link given in Radio Salesian Facobook page, record the song and shoot video on their smart phones.

The deadline for video submission is 28th July 2021.

Competition videos will be premiered in Salesian TV YouTube Channel on 5th August. Voting will end on 12th August and will be judged for maximum number of views. 

Besides first, second and third prizes, there are also two consolation prizes including cash prize worth Rs. 20,000, trophy and certificate. 

Since 2016, Radio Salesian has successfully completed 5 music video competitions christened “Jingle Bells” promoting creation of original Christmas Carols in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim region. END

Photo: Principal of Salesian College Sonada / Siliguri launch Freedom Song Competition, 24th May 2021.

Add new comment

Random Stories

© UB Photos

International tourism mart begins

18 Jan 2013 - 8:53pm | editor
Guwahati hosted the first ever International Tourism Mart of the North-East on Friday.The three-day event at the Sarusajai sports complex witnesses large number of nations and a matching assemblage...

Health Camp for Flood Victims by Cottonian82

20 Aug 2017 - 9:25pm | Mowsam Hazarika
A health camp was organised by "Cottonian82" , an organisation of the alumni of Cotton College of 1982 batch, in association with KGMT Hospital, under Kuntal Goswami Memorial Trust, Mother Teresa...

AASU-AUS dharna in front of HPC mill

13 Jun 2012 - 3:20am | editor
The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Asom Unnati Samaj activists staged a day-long dharna in front of Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited at Jagiroad on Tuesday demanding the repeal of the...

Release Akhil Gogoi or let us spill to road

24 Dec 2017 - 3:41pm | AT News
DUDHNOI: KMSS leaders and workers across the state are in a mood to intensify the agitation to ensure Akhil Gogoi' immediate release. The top leaders of the peasant body have been constantly...

Other Contents by Author

First Mobile Eye Clinic in North East India Inaugurated

Guwahati, 24th February 2021: For the first time in Northeast India an Ambulance cum Mobile Eye Clinic was launched on 24th February, 2021.  Rtd. Director of Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Guwahati, Dr. C. K. Barua inaugurated the mobile unit and Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati, Fr. Januarius Sangma blessed the unit.   Dr. Barua in his impassioned speech said, “This Mobile Eye Clinic is a new beginning, as this is the first mobile eye unit that provides such range of services”.   Speaking at the inaugural function, Programme Coordinator – Health, Bosco Reach Out Mr. Probal S.G, said, “This Mobile Eye Clinic was a result of the...

Don Bosco Migrant Workers Desk Opened

Guwahati: Salesian Province of Guwahati inaugurated Don Bosco Bharosa, the Migrant Desk, on 24th February 2021. “Bharosa in Hindi language means trust and Don Bosco Brand is trusted by both job seekers and job providers,” says director of Bosco Reach Out Fr Jayaprakash. On the working of Migrant Desk Fr. Jayapraksh explains “Our North Eastern desks will network with similar desks in others parts of the country. As the migrant youth from North East India are spread out in all major cities of India, the main objective of Don Bosco Bharosa will be to provide safe migration to the youth of North East India. If the migrant youth of our region face any problem in any part of the country...

Handlooms bring hope to Lengopara artisans

Guwahati, 22 February 2021: Bosco Reach Out, a Guwahati based rural development NGO distributed 80 handlooms and accessories for trained artisans at Lengopara area in Goalpara district of Assam, 22 February 2021. The distribution programme was part of BRO’s on ongoing project SFRUTI supported by Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt. of India.  “We have distributed 80 Jacqard looms and accessories among the beneficiaries for their income generating activities to ensure their sustainable livelihood,” says BRO Executive director Fr. A. Jayaprakash. He urged recipients to work hard and produce quality product to achieve the objectives of the project. The...

Radio Salesian Journalist makes to India Book of Records

A Radio journalist working with the first community radio in the Darjeeling Hills has staked his claim and snatched a place in the India Book of Records, 28 September 2020. Program Coordinator and founder member of Radio Salesian, the first Nepali language broadcasting Community Radio in India, RJ Samir Chhetri, a native of Sonada has secured his place in the book of records. The India Book of Records states, “RJ Samir is the first RJ of the first community radio run by a college in North Bengal and entire northeast India.” “This recognition of RJ Samir is a matter of pride for our community radio and inspiration for younger radio journalists to make their mark,” says station...

Solo Song Film honours Mother Teresa on 110th birthday

Kolkata, 23 August 2020 — A Kolkata artist has come up with a new genre song dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta to mark the saints 110th birthday, 26 August 1910. The new genre is called Folktronica - a type of music comprising various elements of folk music and electronica, often featuring uses of acoustic instruments – especially stringed instruments – and incorporating hip hop, electronic or dance rhythms, although it varies based on influences and choice of sounds. Made in the pandemic’s lock down times Korak Day of Kolkata calls it “Solo Song Film Art” entitled Nirmal Hriday - an English Bangla music video dedicated to all who volunteered for Mother Teresa’s Works and helped...

School assembly goes to children’s homes

Agartala: A Salesian Sisters’ school in northeast India has come up with a novel idea to stay connected with children during the Covid-19 lockdown times. The Sisters reach Monday school assembly to children’s homes through social media. The idea was born, on the feast day of their foundress St. Mary Mazzarello, 13 May, 2020. Almost 50 days since the Lockdown due to Covid 19, and the Sisters missed the children – both boarders and day scholars, who used to be so much of their life.  “Our community and the entire environment used to be filled with joy and happiness, of fun and laughter and youthfulness,” recalls Sr. Albrida, Principal of Auxilium Girls School Agartala, capital of...

Radio Salesian, UNICEF to spread awareness on COVID-19 in the hills

Radio Salesian (90.8) - The voice of the Hills - run by Salesian College Sonada has been selected as a partner in raising awareness about COVID-19 in a national project sponsored by UNICEF. Titled ‘Mission Corona’, the five-month initiative will feature a 25-minute weekly programme in Nepali language that will focus on issues related to the usage of masks, home quarantine, physical distancing, building immune system, and elderly care, among others. “During this unprecedented public health emergency, as community radio, we can inform and educate people on the impending danger of the pandemic through ‘Mission Corona,’” says station director, Fr. C.M. Paul.  With a transmitter...

Archbishop Menamparampil nominated for Journalism Award

Guwahati: The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) will honour noted peace activist Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, conferring its prestigious annual ‘Louis Careno Award for Excellence in journalism’ for his bold writings against communalism and fundamentalism that is gaining ground globally. The Award will be conferred on the Archbishop by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurien Joseph, during the 25th National Convention of Christian Journalists, organized by the ICPA, scheduled to be held in Delhi, on 29 February 2020.  “Archbishop Menamparampil’s name is synonymous with peace, inter-community dialogue and social harmony. His incisive, thought-provoking writings on...

Industry-College Partnership helps prevent female trafficking in closed gardens

Over a conversation between the legendary tea planter Mr Rajah Banerjee of Rimpaocha Tea Siliguri and Campus Minister at Salesian College Sonada Fr. C.M. Paul on the impending peril of adolescent females being trafficked from the closed tea gardens in the Darjeeling Hills was born the Industry-College Partnership to provide skill training. “Education and skill training is the only solution, to prevent them [girls] from falling easy prey to stalking flesh traders who lure the unsuspecting girls with false promises of quick bucks and better future outside,” says Salesian College Principal Dr. (Fr.) George Thadathil. Mr Banerjee who calls Makaibari the first tea estate to go organic his...

Peace Award for Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil

Guwahati:  The Delhi-based International Human Rights Council has announced an “Ambassador for Peace” Award for retired Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati. The Award will be conferred on 9th December 2019 in New Delhi in the presence of invitees from all over the country and abroad. One of the earlier recipients of the Award is the Dalai Lama among many other internationally known figures. International Human Rights Council is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, the organization gives voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable...