For the first time ever in the history of Bundelkhand, rural people tested the power of mass media in their own control to sing their own songs and tell their own stories in their own language through a community radio - Radio Bundelkhand!
The CR station was inaugurated by Prabha Devi from Maharajpur village. She stood there beaming as she switched on the transistor radio that aird traditional music of Bundelkhand. As the signature tune and a capsule indicating the kind of programmes was broadcast, the packed hall was filled with emotion. More than 200 people consisting of village communities from Azadpura, Sitapur, Vasova, Ghatwaha, Pratapura, Bhojpura and Jijhaura villages, government officials, academicians, local artists and dignitaries and professionals from various sectors were present during the launch event. The radio station was launched today at the Appropriate Technology Centre of Development Alternatives in TARAgram Orchha, Madhya Pradesh. Development Alternatives (DA) is a not for profit organisation headquartered in Delhi, that works on many unique solutions for helping the rural poor in changing their lives. This initiative is dedicated to the interests of the local rural communities. It will be managed and produced jointly by the communities living in the region of Tikamgarh district and DA. The guests were welcomed by, AVM S. Sahni, Senior Advisor, Development Alternatives, the grand old man of Bundelkhand, affectionately referred to as Baba by the village communities with whom he has worked tirelessly and has been responsible for establishing 126 check-dams. He said I never thought I would see the day when all of you have the opportunity to speak up and share your problems and solutions by participating in this modern medium. Dr. Pt. Vishwanath Sharma, MD, Baidyanath Industries Ltd, a renowned and respected citizen of Bundelkhand, who also spoke on the occasion, expressed his happiness and gave the community radio his blessings. The station aims to provide radio services to the rural communities settled in and around our technology centre at TARAgram, in 28 villages in a radius of 10 kms. The radio aspires to enable and empower the communities, especially the women, youth and marginalised groups to take charge of their own lives. It will create awareness and give information on issues and encourage participation in local self governance. It will also promote and preserve Bundelkhandi the regional language of the community. Community members enjoyed being part of such a unique initiative and expressed their desire to contribute in whatever way they can. Radio Bundelkhand is amongst the first three community radio stations approved and licensed by the Ministry of information and Broadcasting, Government of India under its new community Radio policy. The station has been supported by UNESCO for some of the equipment and training. YOU CAN SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY RADIO FORUM (India) BY JOINING AND TAKING AN ACTIVE PART IN ONE OF THESE NETWORKS http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crforum-awareness (Awareness building) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crforum-helpdesk (Offering help) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crforum-policy-advocacy (Policy advocacy) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crforum-techoptions (Technical options) _______________________________________________ cr-india mailing list [email protected] https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/cr-india
