Indian Newslink and Radio Tarana combine reader-listener strength
Venkat Raman
New Zealand experiences unhealthy competition among the members of the India media.
Far from cooperation and coordination to offer the best reading, listening and watching material to readers, listeners and viewers, there is much dissipation of energy in undermining each other’s interests and promoting unethical marketing practices.
In the end, no one gains, not the least the customer, who stays confused.
Against such a scenario of ‘hit and run,’ and attempt to take over the market with unrealistic advertising rates, Indian Newslink has been privileged to engage in constructive partnership with Radio Tarana, a station that has set high standards of business ethics and practices.
Closer Working Relationship
From organising events, dinners, opinion pools and surveys, the two organisations work as each other’s extension not only to offer the best to our customers but also enable staff to share each other’s expertise. Thus, for instance, during the recent general election held in Fiji (November 14, 2018), we worked with Radio Tarana to ensure that our audiences received constant updates, quality information and news and developments.
Ratio Tarana Managing Director Robert Khan says that while healthy competition is good for everyone concerned, cut-throat efforts benefit no one- not even the person with the razor.
Duty to the community
“It is a pity that many do not understand the responsibility that a media house entails. We have a duty towards our community, society and the country and at no time there should be a compromise on our principles. It is perhaps our penchant for quality, integrity and transparency that has cemented the Radio Tarana-Indian Newslink partnership. On behalf of my team, I offer our best wishes and compliments to everyone at Indian Newslink. We look forward to even closer relationship in the years to come; we believe in working towards the benefit of all stakeholders,” he said.
Pitching to score
According to him, it is always easy for someone to imitate, plagiarise and replicate a successful enterprise.
“That has been the case with Radio Taranaand Indian Newslink, the first and foremost newspaper of the Indian community in New Zealand. I have always believed in fair and healthy competition, because it sets the pitch for every player to score; but unfortunately, it is never so; there is always someone to queer the pitch and lower standards and income.
“But the tough will always get going, no matter how tough the going gets. That has been the secret of our success – that of Radio Taranaand Indian Newslink.
“I look back the 23 years of my journey with Radio Tarana with a sense of pride, satisfaction and fulfilment. Start-up of a new venture is almost always wrought with the proverbial paucity of finance, with no one, least of all commercial banks, willing to help. The stakes are high and no one wants to underwrite the risk.
Team Work
“This radio station was built on teamwork and cooperative spirit. No one is conscious of the fact that it is a sole-proprietorship, owner-managed company. Each of us (that includes me) has a target to achieve with a focus on one most important factor: our customers,” he said.
Thousands of listeners of Radio Tarana from around the world greeted Radio Tarana as it marked its 23rd Anniversary on June 15, 2018.
The Indian Newslink-Radio Tarana relationship is sanctified by mutual respect and close-working partnership with the entire team at Radio Tarana, notable among them being Pawan Rekha Prasad and Hemant Parikh.
Mr Parikh has been a Reporter, Photographer and Master of Ceremonies at Indian Newslink events bringing with him commitment and a high degree of professionalism.
The round-the-clock radio station received congratulatory messages from the country’s leaders, celebrities such as Salman Khan and a cross-section of people from New Zealand, Fiji, India, Canada, Britain, United States of America and other countries.
The day was important for a few members of Tarana staff, some of who have been with the Station since it was established in 1995 and a few others who have worked tirelessly for the progress of the company for more than 15 years.
High-Level Recognition
For Managing Director Robert Khan, the progress of Radio Tarana is a combination of staff strength, advertiser support and listener patronage but he is the real architect of the company’s structure and stature.
As well as being the Winner for Outstanding Contribution to Radio at the Annual Radio New Zealand Awards 2016, he was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II (on her Birthday Honours in June 2017) with his appointment as the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to Broadcasting and the Indian community.
Popular Station
Tarana has indubitably become the most popular Indian Radio station in New Zealand. Its programmes can be accessed through the internet or mobile anywhere in the world at any time. People from New Zealand and other countries call over the phone or the internet to participate in the current affairs programme, question leaders, request for their favourite film song, greet people on birthdays, wedding anniversaries and get to know of people who leave us. This is a wholesome station that combines the seriousness of the newsroom and the friendliness of the studio to offer a bouquet of services that have become the fragrance of the Indian radio listeners.
The Captain
The Tarana team is made up of people with varying talent, approach to life, vicissitudes and a thousand other things that constitute a family. Among them are specialists in local and international politics, current affairs, community issues, music, production, sales, scheduling and accounts; there are a few who are adept in all of these. Harnessing these resources to the benefit of all is a task at which Mr Khan is a master. How he fosters the family spirit and leads the team to deliver the best is in itself a story but as it is often said, ‘everything fits into place if you have a clear vision and know what to do.’
Rewind to the Beginning
The entertainment market of the 1990s was dominated by a single operator and breaking the monopoly was a formidable task.
The thought of a radio station, dedicated to longer hours was with Mr Khan for a while but he awaited the appropriate moment.
But it was not until the early days of 1995 when opportunity knocked.
Following the official procedures, purchase of equipment (‘they were rather expensive’) and placement of experienced staff, Radio Tarana took to the air on June 15 that year.
The Vision
“The vision from the beginning was to go 24/7 but a number of loose ends had to be tied up. Staffing was the most significant challenge and I knew Radio Tarana would not have the wherewithal to be a sleepless station until all issues were addressed. Even as we went about organising ourselves towards that objective, we were aware such an eventuality would not come about overnight,” Mr Khan said.
It took eight years but the march towards the goal was gradual, with every step taken firmly on the ground.
Today, Radio Tarana is a growing entity but an icon in Indian broadcasting.
Photo Caption:
- Robert Khan, winner of New Zealand Radio Broadcasters Association Award 2016
- Radio Tarana float at Papatoetoe Santa Parade on December 5, 2018
- Tarana at the Fiji Elections, November 14, 2018: Ajeshni Kumar, Vandhna Bana and Shalen Shandil
- Hindi film actor Shakti Kapoor with Robert Khan at Tarana Diwali, November 4, 2018
