Reaching out on the airwaves
Young Warrior RJ Aditya promotes COVID-19 awareness on the radio in Gujarat
“What we do makes a difference, but we have to decide what kind of difference we want to make”, says Radio Jockey (RJ) Aditya Yuvraj Hore from Radio 2 PI R.
Aditya is also a member of the YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) Young People's Action Team (YPAT) in Gujarat, a state on the west coast of India.
With over five years of experience in the radio industry, Aditya 23, is already shouldering the responsibility of heading programming at Radio 2 PI R. Currently pursuing his Maters in Development Communications, Aditya says, “Awareness plays a huge role in empowerment of young people. When guided and equipped with the right knowledge, they can do wonders for their society and community.”
His affable personality, easy-going charm and witty banter, combining pop culture with his unique dose of persona is what keeps Aditya's audience in raptures. A hit with young people, he seeks to engage with his audience on a personal level, leveraging multiple modes and mediums. Case in point being his viral take on the famous meme song, ‘Pawri Ho Rai Hai’ on his Instagram account.
As India reeled under the COVID-19 surge, Aditya adapted his content to match the backdrop of the ‘new normal’. He introduced special segments where he interviewed medical experts and influencers in an attempt to create awareness, tackle misinformation and promote COVID Appropriate behaviours (CAB).
He also brought medical doctors and government officials on air to talk about the corona virus, precautions people can take to keep themselves safe, the importance of CABs and also to bust myths related to the COVID -19 vaccination campaign.
Aditya collaborated with UNICEF as part of the Radio4Child initiative to develop awareness programs and segments on the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign. He has also interviewed various COVID-19 Warriors as part of his ongoing campaign.
A highlight in his ongoing COVID-19 campaign, is definitely the segment involving celebrities. Aditya has interviewed stars like Bhakti Kubavat and Pratik Gandhi and also singers like Aasa Singh, regarding various aspects of COVID-19, in a bid to focus and magnify youth awareness, regarding this public health threat.
The writer is a member of Gujarat Young People's Action Team.
