Rotary award for Amritian

Balaji Patturaj, one of India’s leading radio programme presenters and alumni of Amrita School of Communication, was honoured with an award by Rotary Club for making a significant difference to life in Coimbatore through creativity and excellence in his vocation. He is from Amrita School of Communication in Coimbatore and working as the Radio Jockey for Radio Mirchi's prime-time morning program, 'Hello Coimbatore'. During a specially organized ceremony held Sunday last at Park Plaza,Coimbatore, Mr.Balaji’s work was cited as an example of how mass media can be used to make people introspect and act for the well being of society. From the exclusive interview with Balaji: "I am conducting a program called "Hello Coimbatore" in Radio Mirchi which is happening between 7 AM - 11 AM everyday. The show speaks about whatever that is happening in the city. It will talk about new movies releasing; Cricket match, etc. In the morning, if two people meet at their office, or school , or in college, that conversation will be the topic in the show. There is also celebrity guests talks about their lives, their growth, everything. It is a show that is connected to the people." "I did journalism in AMRITA. When I finished the course, I knew that I am not a jounrnalist!. But, the Journalism experience gave me an opportunity to notice the things that are ignored by the newspapers. In newspapers they have maximum 120-130 news everyday. In those news, politics, cinema, etc., has given more importance. The things that are ignored by the one that everybody wants to hear. If a person sees a streetlight switched on even in the morning, and in the night time it is not working. We will speak about it, and that is something that create interest in the people." "For example, the price of pulses is around 130 rupees right now. Earlier it was 30 rupees. I will talk about it which is given 13th page coverage in the newspapers. This information is important in day to day life, because people eat Sambhar, and everyday we use pulses. The roads are not good. It is not given any importance in the Newspapers. But, you and me both are travelling in the road, I will talk about that in the show. That is, whatever connect to the people I will talk about it. If a cricket match is happening, I will not talk about some problem, but talk about the match." "That is, the program will talk people's language" About AMRITA: "When I came to AMRITA, I was having lot of traits. I had lots of raw energy and I didn't know how to channelize it. I was an aggressive and a non obedient student. One person in my life who made lot of difference in my life. That is my Professor Rakesh Sir. He had motivated me to take up RJ-ing." "Properly I was trained, and guided in AMRITA. We were only seven people in the class. We had lots and lots of time to spend with our faculties. Whatever we spoke was about media. When I came out of AMRITA I felt like having gained experience in the corporates for 2 years!." "I came from Chennai, without having any restrictions in my life. I was not a hostellite until I joined in AMRITA. I found the rule are very strict in AMRITA. But, one year of stay in AMRITA made lots of difference in my life. It cultivated me. It made me a different person altogether, though I didn't change my basic qualities. One thing I understood after passing out from the college; you will get anything that you want only when you ask for it." "I dedicate this award to my Grandfather, Rakesh Sir and to my AMRITA Teachers. They both are responsible for whatever I am today". A great news for all Amritians to feel proud of.