The Valedictory function of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the ‘Vayalum Veedum’ (Farm and Home) broadcast of All India Radio was conducted with a grand and elegant function on 3rd and 4th May 2017 at Nishagandhi Auditorium at Kanakakkunnu Palace Premises in Thiruvananthapuram. The Valedictory session on the evening of 4th May was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of Kerala Justice(Rtd.) Shri. P Sathasivam. The meeting was presided over by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan. The Key Note Address was delivered by Adv. K Raju, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Forests. Shri. O Rajagopal and Shri. K Muraleedharan, Members of Legislative Assembly facilitated the function.
The broadcast of ‘Vayalum Veedum’ programme of All India Radio in Kerala was started in 1966 at AIR Thrissur. The Golden Jubilee of the ‘Vayalum Veedum’ broadcast was celebrated over last one year with District level programmes in all the districts of the State by all Kerala stations of All India Radio. Agricultural Quiz for farmers and Farmers Meet were organised in each district. The winners from district level quizzes attended the State level Mega Golden Jubilee Quiz on 4th May 2017. In the State level Quiz, Palakkad District won the First Prize, Kollam district won the Second Prize and Thiruvananthapuram district got the Third Prize. The winners were awarded during the Valedictory function by the Hon’ble Governor. They received Certificates and Mementos from All India Radio and Cash Prizes worth Rs. 50000/- from NABARD. The Chief General Manager of NABARD, Shri. R. Sundar handed over the cash prizes to the Hon’ble Governor. All the participants in the State Quiz received certificates and mementos of All India Radio and Radio Sets sponsored by IFFCO. Shri. R Hali, Veteran Farm Journalist, former Director of Agriculture in Government of Kerala and a guide and friend for farmers and All India Radio, was also honoured by the Governor during the function. Hon’ble Governor, Chief Minister and other dignitaries stressed the role and service played by All India Radio and especially the ‘Vayalum Veedum’ broadcast for the growth and development of Agriculture and encouragement of farmers in the State. Shri. R C Gopal, Station Director of Thiruvananthapuram station delivered the Welcome address and Shri. R Vimalasenan Nair, Station Director of CBS Thiruvananthapuram delivered the Vote of Thanks. The Choral group of AIR Thiruvananthapuram performed the theme song of ‘Vayalum Veedum’ programme at the function. Following the function, the Children’s Choir group of AIR Thiruvananthapuram also performed on stage. ‘Ghanashyamam’ – the light music festival led by leading composers in Kerala was also performed after the function. The function was attended by hundreds of farmers and farming enthusiasts, officials from various departments and general public. The function was an event of pride and prestige for all the staff members and well wishers of All India Radio in Kerala. It also displayed the credibility, capability and position of All India Radio as a media in this period.
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