Port Blair, Jan 28: Mr. Ajay Kumar Gupta, Secretary Power and Civil Supplies, Andaman and Nicobar Administration today inaugurated Community Radio Awareness workshop in the conference hall of the TSG Emerald View at Port Blair. The Workshop is being organized by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in partnership with Seeking Modern Applications For Real Transformation (SMART). The workshop will be conducted over the next three days and will conclude on January 30, 2019.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ajay Kumar Gupta highlighted the powerful role of Community Radio to reach out to unreached and marginalized communities. Further, he added “Community Radio is a two-way communication channel and it is an enabler tool to preserve local culture language and dialects, especially in the context of Andaman and Nicobar where people from different geographies have settled, they speak different languages, observe different traditions and have a repertoire of their music and cultural practices”.
Over 40 representatives of the non-governmental organizations and educational institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Universities are participating in the workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to sensitize the local administration and other concerned organizations about the concept of Community Radio.
Ms. Archana Kapoor, Director SMART said that the Community Radio is a very powerful tool for empowerment of underserved communities. “It is different from commercial stations as it ensures participation of the community; it gives access to all and encourages a two way communication, where listeners become producers”, she explained. She emphasized on the role that CR stations can play in disaster prone zones. She informed how community radio plays a vital role in evacuation, preparedness and rehabilitation.
Mrs. Esther Kar, Former DG DAVP, spoke about the potential of the medium in connecting communities by providing access and ensuring participation of the most marginalized communities. She shared with the participants the success of over 100 Community Radio stations in the POSHAN Abhiyaan and POSHAN Maah, wherein the contribution was rewarded by and acknowledged by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Mr. Amit Dwivedi, Assistant Director, PMU, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting mentioned that the Ministry is committed to promote the operation of CR Stations in areas that are hard to reach. He said that there are 242 stations that are already operation in the country. “The idea of the workshops is to create awareness among organizations to apply soon and get benefit from the existing policies in the larger interest of the communities”, he added.
Radio is a popular medium in India. Especially ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enhanced its usefulness. It is a less expensive medium to provide information and entertainment to the marginalized people.
