Bangladesh’s first Catholic radio station goes “on the air” in Rajshahi
by Sumon Corraya

Radio Jyoti (Light) began broadcasting yesterday online, available on smartphones. The Diocese of Rajshahi has trained 25 youths to work at the station. For now, its air time is one hour a day.


Rajshahi (AsiaNews) – The Diocese of Rajshahi yesterday inaugurated Radio Jyoti (Light), Bangladesh’s first Catholic radio, an online station that is also accessible on smartphones.

"The goal is to preach God’s message and spread Jesus Christ’s teachings through our radio programmes,” Bishop Rajshahi Gervas Rozario told AsiaNews.

The broadcast studio is located at the Emmaus Catholic Church in Bogra, a district in the diocese. The goal is to raise awareness about Christ and the Church.

"Through the radio, we want to inform people living in Bangladesh and abroad,” the bishop said. “We want to teach the Church’s values ​​, hymns and plays, moral and ethical principles. We want to enhance protection of children, women and the environment. We cherish Bengali culture."

Some 25 local Catholic youths, mostly from ethnic minorities, have been trained to produce and host radio programmes. At present, the radio broadcasts an hour a day, but plans are in the works for more.

“We want to produce longer programmes so that listeners at home and abroad can hear the country’s Christian news, world Church news, as well as national news.”

Catholics have enthusiastically greeted the new ratio station. For Shymol Gomes, a young Catholic, “it was a timely initiative. Now I can listen to religious hymns, news, and Jesus’ teachings directly on my smartphone.”