Kendrapara, Sept. 17: For them, it has become the last link with the outside world. Sandwiched between high waters and governmental indifference, flood victims have come to look upon their transistor sets as their saviour.
“Mobile sets worked only for a day or two. But services were erratic. Very soon, the sets stopped functioning after batteries ran out. Our contact with the outside world was immediately snapped. That’s when we realised the value of transistor sets,” said Bimbadhar Biswal, a flood victim from one of the worst hit villages — Tikhiri — which falls in Mahakalpada gram panchayat.
Thousands of people in Marshaghai, Mahakalpada and Garadapur blocks are still stranded. Yearning for elusive relief, they are looking to their radio sets for help, which have kept them abreast on the flood situation.
Music tears the silence in the vast ocean that many villages here have turned into. The songs that come out of the radio sets reassure one that there is still life and hope amid the calamity.
“For those who have made the embankment and roads their temporary home, transistors are dispelling the despair that has flood-ravaged villagers in Kendrapara district in its grip. It fascinates us to find that people in these parts are still tuning in to their transistors sets,” said Artatrana Mohanty of the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force.
“We had long forgotten the utility of radio sets as TV sets and mobile handsets invaded our lives. But disaster has brought the radio back to life,” said Minaketan Sahu of Bedari, who was taking shelter on the river embankment.
As they wait for the floodwaters to recede, people here are listening to news on the radio to find out the latest on the status of water release from the Hirakud dam. Every day, villagers tune in to AIR’s Cuttack station, which gives a regular bulletin on the flood situation and weather forecast.
“With no electricity, we have formed a firm bond with transistors both for entertainment and information,” said Karunakar Samal of Bhagabanpur village, who has taken shelter at a relief camp on the river embankment.
