Ashwini Shrivastava
New Delhi, Mar 30, 2008 (PTI) Confused on your personal love
front? Looking for a counsellor? Then tune to any FM radio
channel. In addition to some music, you may get some advice
too.
There are many programmes on astrology, psychological
counselling, sex and married life, personality development,
where modern days 'agony aunt' the FM radio stations have
stepped in and becoming popular.
Be it young or old, professional or businessmen, many are
hooked to the radio and call in to seek solution to their
problems.
"I get around 150-250 calls a day to address their
queries. Most of the problems are related to their love life.
I really feel good that people trust me with their personal
information," says 'Loveguru', a radio jockey, who hosts the
show on Radio City 91.1 FM to answer love and stress related
queries. He is unwilling to disclose his name.
'Loveguru' in his programme advices callers on their
love and personal life related queries. People from various
walks of life phone in or sms/mail their problems for the
show.
When it comes to national capital, people don't mind
discussing the personal matter with these 'modern counsellors'
even during the odd hours. All they need is the FM equipped
mobile phones and a blue tooth device with some lonely space.
Most of these programmes go on air in the late hours.
Public at large are so impressed with the counselling
tactics that they don't hesitate discussing their family
problems on air with the RJs.
The increasing number of calls show that listeners trust
the consellors and follow the suggestions.
"My main job is to understand their (callers) problem and
find solution. No body has reported negative effect of my
advice till now. And, by seeing the number of calls every day,
I feel to have been successful in my attempt to some extent,"
Loveguru says.
"People still are touchy about personal affairs. That is
the reason why I have not yet revealed my identity. It may
affect our rapport. What is more important is the solution to
their problems and I am doing it in any way. What it is in the
name?" says Loveguru, when asked why he was nameless on air.
There are many programmes on the line of 'Loveguru' on
other stations.
"One cannot quantify the revenue the FM channels generate
through these sort of programmes. From telephone companies to
big firms, all want to air their adverts while those
programmes are broadcast, anticipating maximum reach," says a
Sr business analyst with prominent radio channel on condition
of anonymity.
These programmes remain among the top list of listeners,
especially the youngsters, with their unique, practical and
touchy concept in radio programming, he says.
Whereas for the psychologist, there is an all-different
tune. For them, there has to be a long session with the ones
who seek any sort of advice. Talk on such programmes, without
expertise or required knowledge is mere charade and doesn't
bring permanent relief.
"How can you consider a person worthy of sharing personal
information or problems when you are completely unaware of
him. It requires a different tactics to understand people
problems before actually advising them," says Dr Roma Kumar,
clinical psychologist at Sir Ganga Ram hospital.
There are many negatives involved in it. People must
understand that a professional can only give them the advice
they needed. This sort of fad must be discouraged, says Roma,
who is also an expert guest at a special programme 'Mama Meow'
for the people in need of psychological help, on Radio Meow,
India's first radio station to women.
I have seen lots of people who suffer after implementing
advices given to them by inexperienced people. They must be
safe than sorry, she says. PTI
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