Union Minister Anurag Thakur Confers 8th and 9th Community Radio Awards; Inaugurates Regional Community Radio Sammelan
The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, presented the 8th and 9th National Community Radio Awards during the Inaugural Session of the two-day Regional Community Radio Sammelan (North) at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi.
In his address, Minister Thakur emphasized the vital role played by Community Radio Stations in realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Jan Bhagidari se Jan Andolan. He praised these stations for their contributions in keeping listeners informed during calamities and highlighted their significance in education, awareness generation, and problem-solving across the remotest corners of India.
Minister Thakur also highlighted the Government’s efforts to ease the process of setting up community radio stations. The licensing time has been significantly reduced from four years to six months, and the number of processes involved has been reduced from thirteen to eight. He further announced that the Government will auction 808 channels in 284 cities during the 3rd e-auction, thereby expanding the reach of radio in India.
The Minister emphasized the increasing popularity of Community Radio Stations and expressed the Government’s commitment to realizing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of having a Community Radio station in each district.
Apurva Chandra, Secretary, highlighted the need for a platform to bring together the experiences of Community Radio Stations and lauded their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Community Radio Awards recognize the commendable work of Community Radio Stations in public interest and promote better programming in Community Radio, fostering sustainability, innovation, and citizen participation.
Community Radio Stations serve as a vital third tier in Radio Broadcasting, providing a platform for local voices on issues concerning health, education, agriculture, and more. With over 450 Community Radio Stations in India, the Government’s support for the Community Radio Movement aims to ensure mass-media reaches even the last mile where mainstream media presence is low.
The winners of the 8th and 9th National Community Radio Awards were recognized for their exemplary work in community-centric programs on various themes. The awards are being conferred during the Community Radio Regional Sammelan held on the occasion of National Broadcasting Day on 23rd July 2023.
List of Award Winners:
Thematic Awards:
- First Prize: Radio Mind Tree, Ambala, Haryana; Name of Program: Hope Jeene Ki Rah
- Second Prize: Radio Hirakhand, Sambalpur, Odisha; Name of Program: Adhar O PoshanBigyan
- Third Prize: Green Radio, Sabour, Bihar; Name of Program: PoshanShrinkhla
Most Innovative Community Engagement Awards:
- First Prize: Radio SD, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh; Name of Program: Hizra in Between
- Second Prize: Kabir Radio, Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh; Name of Program: Selfie Le Le Re
- Third Prize: Radio Mind Tree, Ambala, Haryana; Name of Program: Book Bugs
Promoting Local Culture Awards:
- First Prize: Voice of SOA, Cuttack, Odisha; Name of Program: Asmita
- Second Prize: Friends FM, Tripura, Agartala; Name of Program: Revived a dying art: MASK & POT
- Third Prize: PantnagarJanvani, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand; Name of Program: Dadi Ma Ka Batua
Sustainability Model Awards:
- First Prize: Radio Hirakhand, Sambhalpur, Odisha
- Second Prize: VayalagaVanoli, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Third Prize: VAGAD Radio “90.8”, Banswara, Rajasthan
