Javadekar presents National Community Radio Awards

Congratulating the winners Union Minister Prakash Javadekar lauded the efforts of community radio stations for their dedication at grassroots level.

New Delhi: Prakash Javadekar, Minister, Information & Broadcasting, inaugurates the Seventh National Community Radio Sammelan on 28th August at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. This year’s theme is “Community Radio for SDGs” (Sustainable Development Goals).

Saying that the government is committed to its mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, the minister added, “It is important to realise the importance of community radio in this direction. This stems from the belief that community radio can play an important role in development through people’s participation. Community radio is an instrument of the future and there cannot be a better idea to provide listeners the right to information and knowledge than this medium.”

He also gave away National Community Radio Awards for 2018 and 2019 in five categories – Best Thematic programme, Best Community Engagement Initiative, Best Programme for Promoting Local Culture, Best Innovative/ Creative Programme and Best Sustainable Model for Community Radio. A total of 30 awards were given for two years.

Earlier in the day, Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, said, “The role of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has been central and very significant in strengthening the sector and linking it with other departments and ministries at the centre, state and district levels. We have now over 262 operational Community Radio Stations and more are in the pipeline to become operational.”

The National Community Radio Sammelan 2019 aims to promote sharing of knowledge and good practices to nurture, promote and empower the Community Radio sector in the country so that it realises its full potential in the country’s development journey.

The objectives of the Sammelan are to bring together key stakeholders for learning by sharing; enable CR stations to showcase their achievements; and provide a platform to Government agencies to share their ideas for partnering with the CR sector.

Organised in collaboration with OneWorld Foundation India, this year’s Sammelan saw more than 300 participants, including about 225 community radio stations, senior government officials, UN agencies, academicians and NGOs.

Source: OneWorld South Asia

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