Gazi Sharmeen Ahmed is a familiar voice to regular listeners of FM radio. One of the most popular radio jockeys of ABC Radio, she has been in the field for quite a while now, and has a strong fan following. The ever-smiling RJ (Radio Jockey) spoke to The Daily Star about the qualities needed to succeed in the business, and what makes it rewarding.

 “I have been working in ABC Radio (89.2 FM) since its early days. FM is a concept that has been targeted for the young listeners. For years, radio had lost its appeal among the younger generation, and I guess the FM radio stations triggered a change. But, it would be wrong for me to say that FM is just for youth! People of all ages like to listen to FM stations these days. We air a wide range og genres of music, and different shows appeal to different people. 

“Making a listener pay attention to a show can be a challenge. Good music is a key component, but to keep their listener 'hooked', the RJ not only needs to have a good voice, but it's also one's personality, humor and wit that can bring warmth to the show. Establish a connection with the listener is the hallmark of a good RJ. 

“People make friends all the time. For me, my listeners are my friends. It's one of the biggest reasons I enjoy my work. I get to know people's opinion and feelings through their messages. 

“To be an RJ, 'glamour' in the voice is an essential criterion. Apart from that, what the RJ needs in knowledge about the world. It's easy to keep your listeners entertained if you are knowledgeable about your surroundings.”