Despite the requirement under the state of emergency only to broadcast music, some FM stations are openly flouting the rule. They are sidestepping the ban on news by studio chats, phone-ins with news in disguise and now Srinagar FM in Palpa has started broadcasting SLC tuition classes for the ongoing exams.

More than 30,000 students in Palpa and adjoining districts are getting exam tips. "It's great, it has really helped us a lot," says student Anju Pande, "I felt like I was in a tuition class and it was totally free!"

The station had invited several high school teachers to provide lessons in English, Mathematics, Science and other subjects. The station staff was also thrilled because their station was going into a slump. "We learnt we can do much more than just provide information and entertainment, we can also do education," says station manager, Jagdish Bhattarai. Students usually gather around in one of their houses and study together with their broadcast 'teacher'. Some schools had also helped provide radio sets to their students. The program also gives information on their exam centres, schedule and guides them on how to score better in the tests. "There isn't one student here who doesn't listen to this program," says Bhesraj Subedi, principal of New Horizon Boarding School in Palpa. Because of the listenership, Srinagar FM's ad revenue has also picked up. (JB Pun)