AIl India Radio and Community Radio- An agent of change in the society
AIl India Radio and Community Radio- An agent of change in the society World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13 every year, to celebrate radio as a medium of entertainment and information and the mode of communication. Radio has always played a stellar role in conveying information to masses when other mediums became inaccessible. In India Radio has emerged as the ultimate survivor, adapting itself to the tastes of the newer generations of listeners and absorbing newer technologies. Broadcast radio today reaches a staggering 99% of the Indian population. India with its diversity and expanse, one could well understand the problems that tribal, under-privileged, or minority cultures face in getting their voices heard but Radio is the only medium driving the audience to use their imagination while deciphering what’s unfolding. AIl India Radio-Spine of Indian Broadcasting Public Broadcaster All India Radio has always played a crucial role in spreading the important news and government schemes to every nook and corner of the country. AIR’s major objectives are to serve the nation by promoting the welfare and development of the people by spreading the message behind the motto Bahujan Hitaya; Bahujan Sukhaya meaning –benefit and happiness of large sections of people and to strive to produce and transmit varied programmes designed to awaken, inform, enlighten, educate, entertain and enrich all sections of Society. From the past Eight decades, AIR has filled the void by becoming the only support in a remote village, farm or forest. Nothing can match up to the nostalgia All India Radio can evoke. Almost all of us have memories of listening to the various programmes at the break of dawn. Programmes that struck a chord with the audience- Kisan Ki Baat-This national-level broadcast of Kisan Ki Baat helped in achieving the objectives of the scheme and creating more awareness about Government of India initiatives in agriculture and allied sectors among rural masses. Special Program on COVID-19- The News Services Division of All India Radio in its bilingual live phone-in programme brings everyday a special discussion programme on COVID-19 to break the myths and raise the awareness regarding the infection. Vigyan Bharati - Science magazine programme is devoted to science-related subjects to create scientific temperament among Society. Yuva Bharati - This programme contains Youth related issues, their achievements, aspirations and needs. Chitra Bharati -The programme is devoted to Indian cinema, its trends in art, and creativity and modern issues in Indian cinema industry. Kisanvani- The thrust of Kisanvani Programme is to educate the farmers on the subjects such as diffusion of innovation, Lab to land, knowledge and skill of modern and scientific techniques of agricultural practices, horticulture, animal husbandry, poultry farming, fishery, rural banking and self-employment schemes. Women Programmes- Women programme of All India Radio covers subjects related to the socio-economic development of women, health & family welfare, Food and nutrition, scientific home management, women entrepreneurship, education including adult education, women empowerment, gender issues etc. Mann Ki Baat- 2014 brought a huge change with Prime Minister Narendra Modi starting his Mann ki Baat on AIR. The Mann ki Baat broadcast proved that even official broadcasts can boost listening, viewership, and ratings. Community Radio (CR) Today, there 251 operational community radio stations across India, broadcasting in languages like Punjabi, Gujarati, Garhwali, Awadhi, and Santhali — tongues that typically find little or no space on television. CR is third-tier broadcasting along with public and private radio broadcasting. It gives marginalized communities the opportunity to express their views often ignored by mainstream media providing authentic information. Just hearing themselves on the radio is an empowering experience for many of the marginalized sections in society.
