Podcast Awareness Campaign Held in Chennai

Chennai hosted a two day workshop, called 'Podworks' to bring together, IT and mobile technology users involved in podcasting, and those wanting to get initiated into this new interactive medium.

Organizers of the event, The Knowledge Foundation explained, "Podcasting is a new way of communication in which, instead of reading the content on the computer screen one listens to it on an iPod or an iPod-like device."

Kiruba Shankar of The Knowledge Foundation said, "It will impart basic knowledge on how to create and upload podcasts (audio-video mix on the net) and aims to increase the trend of podcasting in India. Shankar hosts a podcasting show in which he interviews CEOs of Indian IT companies. He said, " Podcasting is increasingly used by many individuals and corporates as a new tool of communication. This is the most happening form of technology, though in India it is yet to catch up. Podcasting is to radio and television what blogging is to print media.

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The event, sponsored by major internet-oriented firms, saw discussions on how to popularize the use of this effective, multilingual medium.

K. Srinivasan, editor of the PodUniverse magazine said, "India needs greater bandwidth and PC penetration before this medium can be adopted by everyone. For now, 'It can only play a middle role and be a medium for the media, a social media that can trigger the (mainstream) media."

Srinivas has brought out more than 50 issues of his e-magazine using integrated podcasting technology. Among other issues, his e-zine has also discussed the controversial Sethusamudram project, a canal project to link the Palk Straits off the Tamil Nadu coast with the Gulf of Mannar.