On 25th July 2024, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B), Government of India (GoI) inaugurated India’s 500th Community Radio Station “Apna Radio 90.0 FM” at Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Aizawl, Mizoram.
- While addressing the event, Ashwini Vaishnaw announces winners of 10th National Community Radio Awards.
- This launch also marks a significant milestone in the GoI’s policy of Act East.
Key Dignitaries: Dr. L.Murugan, Union Minister of State (MoS) for I&B, Sanjay Jaju, MoI&B and Lalduhoma, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram were also present at the event.
Key Points:
i.While addressing the event, CM Lalduhoma highlighted that Apna Radio Station will begin a new chapter in communication for the state.
ii.The community radio stations play an important role in disseminating information related to agriculture, government schemes for farmer welfare, weather information, among others.
- It offers a unique platform where alternative voices can be heard and content is delivered in local dialects and regional languages.
10th National Community Radio Awards:
The awards were given in 4 main categories namely, Thematic award, Most Innovative Community Engagement award, Promoting Local Culture award and Sustainability award.
About National Community Radio Awards:
i.These awards were instituted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoI&B) in the year 2011-2012.
- Aim: To promote innovation and healthy competition amongst Community Radio Stations (CRS).
iii.The recipients of each category receives 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.
Winners of 10th National Community Radio Awards:
i.Category: Thematic Award:
| Prize | Name of the Radio Station | Name of the Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Prize | Radio Mayur, District Saran, Bihar | Tech Sakhi |
| 2nd Prize | Radio Kochi, Kerala | Nirangal |
| 3rd Prize | Hello Doon, Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Meri Baat |
ii.Category: Most Innovative Community Engagement Award
| Prize | Name of the Radio Station | Name of the Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Prize | Yerlawani Sangli, Maharashtra | Kahani sunandachi |
| 2nd Prize | Vaylaga Vanoli, Madurai, Tamil Nadu (TN) | Let’s Build a new Norm |
| 3rd Prize | Salaam Namaste, Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP) | Maid Didi |
iii.Category: Promoting Local Culture Award:
| Prize | Name of the Radio Station | Name of the Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Prize | Radio Brahmputra, Dibrugarh, Assam | Igarekun |
| 2nd Prize | Radio Kotagiri, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu (TN) | En Makkaludan Oru Payanam |
| 3rd Prize | Radio Active, Bhagalpur, Bihar | Ang Pradesh ki Adbut Dharohar |
iv.Category: Sustainability Model
| Prize | Name of the Radio Station | Name of the Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Prize | Radio Benziger Kollam, Kerala | Bishop Benziger Hospital Society |
| 2nd Prize | Radio Namskar, Konark, Odisha | Young India |
| 3rd Prize | Radio Antarwani, Gulbarga, Karnataka | Sharanbasbeswara Vidya Vardhak Sangh |
About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B):
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha member- Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Loganathan Murugan(Rajya Sabha member- Madhya Pradesh(MP))
