The other day, I was listening to Radio One just before dozing off in the night. Yes, I have absolutely no qualms in admitting that I do listen to other stations as much as I listen to the station I work for, which happens to be FM Rainbow on 101.3MHz.

So coming to Radio One and the RJ’s show. A person who has been an RJ at Rainbow; in fact almost all RJ’s on Radio One have worked at rainbow. Nevertheless talking about the show I listened to, Anjaan the RJ mentioned he would give couple passes for an evening party at Hint. To be able to go the party one had to get the name of the lounge restaurant Hint right. Three options were given, in that one happened to be HYNT as well. I thought for fun let me send out an SMS. So there I sent out the SMS like a ordinary listener with the answer as HYNT. In a couple of minutes I got a call from Anjaan. He didn’t recognize me at that moment that I was Reshma Krishnamurthy, RJ of FM Rainbow & his ex-colleague. Anyway he asked me the question and I gave the answer as HYNT.

Overexcited Anjaan said I have won the tickets and mentioned I could go HYNT the next evening and ask for my name in Radio One guest list. I said fine as I was happy to be present the next day at the said venue.

Oh, not to forget most private stations including Radio Mirchi and Radio One record the so-called live calls, so if you listen to a listener on air speaking to the RJ, it is most likely to be a recording done a couple of minutes ago. Thankfully, even now we have live calls at FM Rainbow, which does make the job all the more challenging than playing a recorded version of the live call.

All right coming to the goof up, so myself like an ordinary enthusiast intending to have a good time at the restaurant, asked for my name in Radio One guest list at Hint, above Bangalore Central. The lady at the venue – Hint, yes firstly I realized I had given the wrong answer and was announced as the winner on air. With me were several others who gave the same answer as HYNT while the place is spelt HINT!

So, I asked the lady to check my name in the Radio One guest list. She looked at me weirdly and said my name cannot be found, as they do not have a tie up with Radio One but with Radio Indigo. Stunned, I asked her how could the RJ announce on air that there is a party over here and I have won the couple pass. I showed her my SMS too. And then I mentioned how did Anjaan do this?

Suddenly the lady sprung up in action almost screaming, “ Oh, Anjaan! that guy has been sending listeners here while we do not have a tie up with the radio station.” I decided I’ll walk out as it was no fault of the restaurant. Just then the manager intervened and said myself and my husband could walk in.

I finally did have a good time though I wondered the so-called private radio stations boast of flawless transmissions and ‘connecting’ with the listener. If this is how you connect, then the government run radio stations are much better! At least they don’t put you in embarrassing situations!

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