From School Dropout to RJ

By Sandhya Nair

Mumbai: At home, she probably cannot even air her voice. But on Independence Day, 17-year-old Gautami Chaure, a school dropout living in the slums outside the University of Mumbai, will become the voice of radio listeners when she is launched as a radio jockey (RJ) on the varsity’s own community radio station.

The MUST 107.8 FM radio channel (acronym for Mumbai University Students Transmission) has been training Gautami in the art of entertaining listeners and providing regular online information . The girl, who could not study beyond Std VII, has been frequenting the university’s Vidyavihar campus at Kalina for the past two weeks.

Right from speaking into the mike to donning the earphone , Gautami has begun to feel and talk like an RJ. She even rushes to the radio station in time to catch up with her listeners, who may not be a stranger to Gautami. The teenager has been co-jockeying with other RJs before she goes solo on August 15. “It is a wonderful experience. Initially , I was scared and worried whether I would be able to talk on radio or not but now I am at ease,” says Gautami, minutes after going live on air in Marathi on Tuesday evening. She was giving company to RJ Blessy, a third-year diploma in computer science student, who along with Gautami , dwelled on Independence Day and how to respect the national flag. Gautami spoke about how she used to make it to school on Independence Day and participate in various activities.

Gautami could not study beyond Std VII due to an alcoholic father. Her mother works as a housemaid and makes ends meet. Gautami also works in a factory that assembles electronic goods and brings home a monthly salary of Rs 2,000. She was picked up from the Ambedkar Nagar slums at Vidyavihar by Dr Neeraj Hatekar, member secretary of the radio channel. “I had been teaching in the slums since 2000 and Gautami was one of my students. We have been encouraging students to come and speak on radio. Gautami had the confidence and we gave her a platform ,” says Hatekar.

Though she was initially reluctant to walk into the university , soon Gautami realised that she loves to talk. “She has been with us for two weeks. We have trained her to talk into the mike as if she is physically speaking to a person. There is enthusiasm in her voice and that is what makes her succeed,” says Pankaj Athawale, the transmission executive of the radio station.

Talking on the radio has definitely made Gautami more confident and open. Despite working from 8 am to 6 pm, the girl rushes to the radio station at Ranade Bhavan, in the Kalina campus, to practise her lines. “I have been making notes on what to speak, during my office lunch break. I want to offer jokes and general knowledge questions to the readers,” says Gautami , after going on air with her ‘Must Maharaja, Must Maharani ‘ contest. The teenager encourages listeners to call in with their answers.

“We want to give Gautami the 1 pm to 3 pm slot on Sundays as that is the only day she is free from work. Gautami does not mind missing her Sunday afternoon movies, as she says radio is her new love. The teenager has passed on the radio bug to her friends in the slum. “Very soon, I will be inviting my friends to come on radio and speak about their problems,” says Gautami, who simply can’t wait to rule the airwaves.

MUST 107.8 FM

The community radio channel was inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil on February 29 this year. The venture is manned by varsity students, who perform as RJs. Apart from providing information about university admissions and courses, the channel gives students an opportunity to air their views. It is currently available for listeners between Andheri and Ghatkopar.

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