A Jesuit college in Mangalore has started community radio broadcasts to promote sectarian harmony in the southern Indian town that in the past year had been hit with communal violence.

The FM station Sarang (harmony of colors) will address various issues affecting local people, said its director Jesuit Father Richard Rego.

State Governor H.R. Bharadwaj, who launched the radio at a function on Sept. 23, said the radio station could play a powerful role in bringing about harmony and justice in society.

He urged the Catholic institution, St. Aloysius College Mangalore, to ensure the radio station maintain truthfulness in its broadcasts.

Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore, who blessed the project, said he hoped the radio station would become a channel of peace, harmony and justice. “The common people, specially the youth, needed a platform to raise their issues,” the prelate added.

Father Rego told UCA News Sarang was the second community radio in India managed by an educational institution. The college started test transmissions in June and received positive responses from the local people.

The radio station broadcasts twice a day, three hours in the morning from 6.30 a.m. and for four hours in the evening from 5.30 p.m. Its signals can be received within a 25-kilometer radius, and programs cover topics such as religion, communal harmony, health and hygiene and issues related to farmers, fishermen, daily-wage earners and youths.

Father Rego said most listeners are young people. Thus, radio would also carry messages against drugs and warnings against contracting HIV/AIDS, as well as offering leadership training and career guidance.

College principal Father Swebert D’Silva told UCA News the college’s Department of Journalism and Mass Media took the initiative to start the radio station. Students produce most of its programs, he added.

The college has nearly 14,000 students.

Ursuline Sister Mini Sheethal, a student, said the radio is doing a good job discussing various problems affecting students such as physical abuse, alcoholism, depression and study stress.

Santhosh D’Souza, another student, who listens to Sarang, said the station “gives many tips” for successful living.

Father D’Silva said the radio station has not received any assistance from the government except subsidies for air time.

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