Ham radio no longer just a hobby

The Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio (GIAR) hosted HamfestIndia-2008, the annual gathering of radio amateurs from India in October at the sprawling Town Hall, Gandhinagar, capital of Gujarat.

Over 300 delegates from different parts of India, mostly from the western parts of the country, attended it.

Gujarat Assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt lighted the inaugural lamp for the Hamfest. During his brief speech he emphasised that amateur radio (or ham radio as it is popularly called) is no longer a hobby, and is a necessity now.

Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN, President of Amateur Radio Society of India and other officials addressed the gathering on the occasion. The chairman of Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio S.K.Nandasaid that the government should incorporate radio communication as an optional subject in schools and colleges.

He also emphasised that having radio communication as a subject in educational institutes will help develop people’s interest in Ham radio.

"In this age of convergence, where many communication options are available, HAM Radio has been most reliable during calamity situations for years", he said.