Ham Radio is her Passion, Serving the people is Motive

RAMESH BABU ARZA VU2RDM

Parvataneni Rajitha Kishore from Vijayawada got a Ham Radio license from the Minister of Communication in the year 1986. She completed her Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Krishnaveni Mahila Polytechnic College run by the Vijayawada Exhibition Society. After completing of Post-Graduation in sociology through the BR Ambedkar Open University, She obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from Kakatiya University. She got a Diploma in Disaster Management from the IGNO University and obtained training in all levels of incident command system (ICS) a US aid project organised by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. She attended several training programmes in Disaster Management organised by NDMA and NIDM and obtained certificates.

 Providing Ham training to the students of  Sainik School Korukonda.

 She received several awards for her meritorious services. She also received the ‘Best Youth Award’ in the year 2000 from the hands of the Chief Minister of the then Andhra Pradesh. She was also selected for the ‘Naveena Award’ in the year 2006 instituted by the ‘TV9’ a prime-time news channel.

After marrying Mr Kishore, she has become a resident of  Venkataya Palem in Khammam District. The couple has a son and daughter. Son Raghu doing a Master of Surgeon in Mamata Medical College, Khammam and daughter Likhita has been sent to the USA for obtaining Higher education after completion of his MBBS Degree.

On the one hand, she manages her responsibilities as an employee and never neglects her family responsibilities as a housewife. She is also having good support from her family members in fulfilling her responsibility of participating in every Emergency operation.

She has been continuing in the Khammam collector’s office with the lowest salary despite having higher educational qualifications.  Even though, she is eligible to get better employment with good emoluments. She prefers to continue her because of her passion for this communication activity   ‘Ham radio’.

Her communication services through Ham radio are invaluable when communications are disrupted during disasters such as storms, floods and earthquakes. She has got a better understanding of to various flood levels of Bhadrachalm and likely affected places. It is no exaggeration to say that she has more practical knowledge than any other officer of a revenue department regarding flood relief operations. She has got vast experience of continuously working with many officers for the last 30 years in Bhadrachalma flood area.

In 1990 biggest ever core of hurricane wreaked havoc and caused huge losses to lives and properties. The impact of gale winds touching up to 200 kmph caused blowing away of tiled roofs and uprooting of trees. Extensive damage was caused to Road communications and telecommunications.   Immediately Hams were plunged into action by providing emergency communication to various key points.  In that context, Rajita along with her colleague operator Mumtaz Arif Khan VU2KAN were deployed in a small village surrounding Vijayawada for taking part in Emergency communication.

On that occasion, the then former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited the cyclone-affected areas with the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Sree  Chenna Reddy. They halted for a brief time to take a rest in the State guest house of Vijayawada where already a Ham Set was installed and kept ready for the operation. Since the late prime Minister was an active Ham immediately he strike a conversation with the available Radio Hams working for that calamity. Rajeev Gandhi got first-hand information about the damages directly from the hams working in those typhoon-affected areas. 

On that occasion, Rajitha & Mumtaz, the duo got a chance to directly interact with the late Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi through Ham and communicated about the latest situation in which they were working. Rajeev Gandhi appreciated the Hams for rendering their voluntary services in that toughest situation.  Rajita often tells his friends, that she can’t afford to forget those wonderful moments of having the rare opportunity to directly interact with such a towering personality, as Rajeev Gandhi.

 In the year 1991, Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to visit many parts of the country on a special Plane before the Parliamentary general elections. He preferred to talk through Ham Radio, set arranged in a Special jet rather than talking to political leaders travelling along with him. It shows clearly, his strong passion for this scientific Communication Hobby. 

In those Days,  Parvataneni Rajitha along with her colleague Lakshmi VU3VLK used to stay in a guest house situated in  Kakinada Collector's office to provide Ham Radio training to the then East Godavari District revenue employees. Once, Rajitha was monitoring on High-frequency Ham Radio, suddenly she heard the voice of a former prime minister calling a general call. Immediately she turned up her transmitter and replied “VU2RG this VU2UIC”. Then Rajiv Gandhi replied, “VU2UIC this is VU2RG your report is 59”. In turn, Rajita answered, “VU2RG this is VU2UIC, My name is Rajita and my present QTH is Kakinada and your report is also 59”. “What are you? and what is the purpose of staying in Kakinada?’ Rajiv Gandhi asked Rajita. After getting all the detailed information from Rajita, Rajeev Gandhi appreciated her for involving the activities of Ham Radio and providing training to the Government employees whose services are key to dealing with any emergencies.

In 1991, a special training camp was organized at Korukonda Military School, Vizianagaram. He stayed there with her colleague operator Mrs Lakshmi to train the students in Ham radio and showed them practically how radio works, how to communicate during natural calamities, etc. and enhanced their passion for ham radio.

It is no exaggeration to say that till now no woman in the whole of India has directly participated in natural calamities and has gone into the field and provided information services like Rajita. Men also hesitate, to go to flooded areas and work through ham radio. Braving all the ads Rajitha has shown great courage and provided information services and has received much applause not only from the government but also from the people.

Receiving appreciations from the Chief Minister of AP

In 2001, there was an earthquake in the Kutch district of Gujarat which caused severe damage. Due to the earthquake, all those houses were destroyed and became uninhabitable. Ham radio operators were flown in special planes by the then Andhra Pradesh government to provide information services in earthquake-prone areas. She reached Gujarat by a special plane and provided invaluable services to the people of the place and deserved the praise of the authorities. She received praise from the then Gujarat Chief Minister Keshu Bhai Patel and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for her services.

Medaram Jatara is organized in Telangana every two years with great pomp. Crores of devotees come from all over the country to participate in this Medaram fair. As part of the arrangements for this fair, a communication system has been established so that communication can take place from one place to another where Mrs Rajita provided Very good services.

Now the Godavari River has flooded many low-lying areas like never before in a living history of hundred years. Some officials under the direction of the collector from Khammam district have camped in Bhadrachalam and are reviewing the situation from time to time. Rajitha is also a member of that team and regularly collects information through phone and available VHF sets and provides it to the authorities. As a woman, it is great to camp and serves in flooded areas facing harsh conditions. Rajitha is a role model for everyone, especially for women, who is serving without regard to her health in the current situation where the coronavirus is lurking in places where there is a possibility of epidemics due to floods.