Community Radio Project

The concept of community radio entered Indian airwaves in 2006; in the years since, the number of stations has grown exponentially to 130 in 2012. Recognising the potential of community radio as a medium of communication, REACH (as part of Project Axshya) works closely with community radio stations around the country to improve knowledge about TB.

In the first phase of the project (2010-2011), five stations in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry took part in a pilot that eventually resulted in over 200 episodes on tuberculosis. Currently in its fourth year, ProjectAxshya now engages community radio stations across the country, working to create awareness about TB among local communities through innovative radio programming. Over six months, ten stations, based in urban and rural India, operated by NGOs and universities, broadcast a 16-part series on TB. Each half-hour episode looked at one TB-related issue, ranging from the basic ‘How does TB spread?’ to ‘TB and HIV’ or ‘the role of community volunteers’. Each episode was repeat-broadcast multiple times (sometimes as many as 4) to amplify the impact and attract more listeners.

Programmes also connected listeners to locally available TB services. RNTCP officials including State and District TB Officers were often guests on the radio shows, answering questions from listeners and directing them to the right centres for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, all the stations were mandated to organise one community meeting a month (eight in all), thereby proactively reaching out to new listeners while sustaining the interest of regular listeners. These meetings provided opportunities for the stations to increase the listenership base; they also became platforms for open discussion of any TB-related issues and clarification of any prevalent myths or misconceptions. Meetings were held at local schools or colleges, community halls, homes of community leaders, health centres etc., and in many cases, RNTCP or other government health officials were present to answer questions.

List of Partner Stations

 

Year 4: 2013-2014

 

Alfaz e Mewat, Haryana

Alwaar ki Awaaz, Rajasthan

Janadhwani Community Radio, Karnataka

Janvanni Community Radio, Kerala

Radio Active, Karnataka

Radio Media Village, Kerala

Radio Rimjhim, Bihar

Vayalaga Vanoli, Tamil Nadu

Voice of Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh

Yerala Vani, Maharashtra

Year 3: 2012-2013

 

Aap ki Awaaz, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

IIT Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Lalit Lokvani, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh

Mann Deshi Tarang Vahini, Satara, Maharashtra

KVK Pravar Community Radio, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

Muthucharam Community Radio, Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu

Namma Dhwani Community Radio, Kolar, Karnataka

Periyar Community Radio, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

CR Benziger, Kollam, Kerala

Radio Popcorn, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Radio Nagar, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

Radio Mewat, Haryana

Radio DC, Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala

PARD Vaanoli, Madurai, Tamilnadu

Year 2: 2011-12

Radio Snehi, Siwan, Bihar

Radio Namaskar, Konark, Orissa

Radio FTII, Pune, Maharashtra

Radio Hamara, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Jnan Taranga, Guwahati, Assam

Krishi Community Radio, Dharwad, Karnataka

Radio Mattoli, Wyanad, Kerala

Deccan Radio, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Radio Manav Rachna, Faridabad, Haryana

Year 1: 2010-2011

To find out more about this project or to get in touch with our partner stations, please write to us at anupamasrinivasan.reach@gmail.com

Read about the Project Axshya Community Radio initiative on The Better India (25 June 2012): Project Axshya – Creating Waves About Tuberculosis Via Community Radio

Tamil magazine Puthiyathalaimurai featured REACH’s Community Radio project (9 November 2012): Puthiyathalaimurai