MIB’s Community Radio Awareness Workshop In Agartala Commences With Insightful Sessions And Active Engagement.

Agartala, Tripura, 29th of August, 2024 : The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), in association with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), began the first day of its Community Radio Awareness Workshop in Agartala with an interactive session. The workshop, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging the establishment of Community Radio stations, attracted over fifty participants, including representatives from various organizations across the North-East region.

The day’s activities commenced at 10 AM with an introductory interaction session. This session served as a platform for the participants, experts, and officials to introduce themselves and discuss their experiences and expectations, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that set the tone for the day.

The inaugural session began at 11 AM with Dr. B. Shadrach, Director of CEMCA, extending a warm welcome to all participants. In his address, Dr. Shadrach expressed appreciation for the participants’ enthusiasm and commitment to exploring the potential of Community Radio. He emphasized that Community Radio in India, with its twenty-year tradition, empowers communities across the country. This tool is essential for community development, addressing local needs, delivering services, and supporting during emergencies, while fostering active engagement and information dissemination.

Following the welcome address, Mr. Amit Dwivedi, Project Director at MIB, delivered the inaugural address. He underscored the pivotal role of Community Radio in community development and engagement. Mr. Dwivedi elaborated on the Ministry’s various initiatives to promote the development and growth of Community Radio stations, especially in the underserved regions of India, including the North-East.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Biplab Halder, Vice Chancellor of ICFAI University, Agartala. Dr. Halder noted that while Community Radio remains an unfamiliar concept to many, it has immense potential to bring about social change by amplifying local voices and addressing community-specific issues. Dr. Halder also expressed his keen interest in setting up a CRS at the ICFAI campus, Agartala. His address was a call to action for more organizations to consider leveraging CR for community empowerment.

The workshop’s second session saw Mr. Amit Dwivedi delve deeper into the Community Radio concept, policy guidelines, and the Community Radio Support Scheme. Later, a screening of the documentary on the Community Radio movement in India, developed by MIB and CEMCA, was done for the participants; it provided a comprehensive overview of the growth and impact of CR across the country.

Several experts, including Ms. Debanjana Devbarman, Mr. Mahipal Singh Rawat, Dr. Nirmalya Mukherjee, Ms. Pooja O Murada, Dr. Sangeeta Kakoty, and Ms. Swapnali Bhuyan, representing different Community Radio Stations, shared their experiences and insights on operating CR stations. Their discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities in content creation, community engagement, and sustainability of CR initiatives.

In addition to the insightful sessions, Yormung Commence, an organization promoting bamboo handicrafts from local artisans and self-help groups, set up a stall near the conference area. This stall reflected the rich bamboo handicraft culture of Tripura, adding a local cultural dimension to the workshop.

The day concluded with a field visit to the local Community Radio station, Friends CR. This visit allowed participants to experience firsthand the operational dynamics and community impact of a CR station. It provided valuable practical insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in running a successful CR station, reinforcing the lessons learned during the workshop.

The workshop continues tomorrow with more sessions designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively leverage Community Radio as a tool for local development and empowerment.

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