New Delhi: In a significant milestone for community radio in India, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated the country’s 500th community radio station, ‘Apna Radio 90.0 FM,’ at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Aizawl. The event was graced by the presence of Union Minister of State for I&B, Dr. L. Murugan, and Mizoram Chief Minister, Lalduhoma.
Community Radio’s Transformative Potential
Addressing the inauguration, Vaishnaw highlighted the transformative potential of community radio in empowering local communities. He emphasized that ‘Apna Radio 90.0 FM’ would bring substantive changes to the lives of people in its coverage area, aligning with the government’s Act East policy aimed at boosting development in the northeastern states.
Vaishnaw also informed the gathering about the record allocation for the Northeast region under the Union Budget’s railway sector, marking a significant step towards realizing Mizoram’s dream of robust railway connectivity.
Chief Minister’s Address
Chief Minister Lalduhoma lauded the establishment of ‘Apna Radio 90.0 FM’ at IIMC Aizawl, calling it a new chapter in the state’s communication landscape. He underscored the station’s potential to benefit Mizoram’s agrarian community by providing essential information on weather updates, government schemes, and agricultural practices.
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Lalduhoma commended the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other stakeholders for their dedication in making this project a reality, reflecting the state’s commitment to leveraging media for social development.
Union Minister of State’s Remarks
Dr. L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for I&B, spoke about the socially beneficial nature of community radio stations compared to their commercial counterparts. He noted that these stations are crucial for last-mile information dissemination, especially during natural disasters. Murugan emphasized the role of community radio in ensuring that vital information reaches marginalized communities.
Secretary’s Insights
Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of I&B, reiterated the importance of community radio in disseminating information on agriculture, government welfare schemes, and weather updates. He highlighted the unique platform community radios provide for alternative voices, delivering content in local dialects and regional languages. Jaju assured that the Ministry remains committed to fostering the growth of community radio stations across the country.
Vice Chancellor’s Vision
Dr. Anupama Bhatnagar, Vice Chancellor of IIMC, expressed her excitement about the inauguration of ‘Apna Radio 90.0 FM.’ She emphasized the station’s role in bringing communities together through dialogue, showcasing local culture, and empowering citizens.
10th National Community Radio Awards
The event also saw the announcement of the winners of the 10th National Community Radio Awards. The awards, instituted in 2011-12, aim to encourage innovation and healthy competition among Community Radio Stations (CRS). The winners were as follows:
Thematic Award
- First Prize: Radio Mayur, District Saran, Bihar for ‘Tech Sakhi’
- Second Prize: Radio Kochi, Kerala for ‘Nirangal’
- Third Prize: Hello Doon, Dehradun, Uttarakhand for ‘Meri Baat’
Most Innovative Community Engagement Award
- First Prize: Yerlawani Sangli, Maharashtra for ‘Kahani Sunandachi’
- Second Prize: Vaylaga Vanoli, Madurai, Tamil Nadu for ‘Let’s Build a New Norm’
- Third Prize: Salaam Namaste, Noida, Uttar Pradesh for ‘Maid Didi’
Promoting Local Culture Award
- First Prize: Radio Brahmaputra, Dibrugarh, Assam for ‘Igarekun’
- Second Prize: Radio Kotagiri, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu for ‘En Makkaludan Oru Payanam’
- Third Prize: Radio Active, Bhagalpur, Bihar for ‘Ang Pradesh ki Adbut Dharohar’
Sustainability Model Award
- First Prize: Radio Benziger, Kollam, Kerala run by Bishop Benziger Hospital Society
- Second Prize: Radio Namaskar, Konark, Odisha run by Young India
- Third Prize: Radio Antarwani, Gulbarga, Karnataka run by Sharanbasbeswara Vidya Vardhak Sangh
Each category offered First, Second, and Third prizes of Rs. 1.0 lakh, Rs. 75,000, and Rs. 50,000, respectively.
The inauguration of ‘Apna Radio 90.0 FM’ and the recognition of outstanding community radio stations underscore the government’s commitment to empowering local communities through media and information dissemination.
