[cr-india] An introduction to CR in Koraput, Orissa

[N.Ramakrishnan]

Dear all:
I'm delighted that Sajan has been so quick off the bat to post the 
coverage on the new CR station in Koraput, Orissa, that appeared in the 
Hindu today. I was on the verge of posting about the station-to-be 
myself. This has given me an opportunity to give some background on the 
area and the station.
The new station that the article refers to is the station that is going 
to be set up near Chappar village, Koraput Block, Koraput, Orissa. With 
a total population of around 11 lakh, it is home to over 52 tribal 
groups, which constitute more than 50% of this population. Over 85% of 
the population live in rural, and often inaccessible, areas.
Poverty is widespread: 85% of the population earns less than Rs.50 a 
day. Migration and health are primary issues, as is HIV.
UNICEF is supporting the development and setup of the CR station there 
in partnership with South Orissa Voluntary Action (SOVA), a well know 
NGO which has been working in the area for over a decade. SOVA works 
with marginalized communities on issues around livelihood, health, 
education and governance. Its programmes reach more than 30000 people 
directly, and an additional 60000 indirectly.
Our team at Ideosync Media Combine is providing the technical support to 
the entire process, starting with inputs into the framework for rolling 
out the CR process, through the setup and equipment for the station, 
technical and production training for the initial core group of 
community trainees, and the eventual commencement of broadcast.
As of today, several preparatory tasks are complete. The site for our 
station there has been selected - an old SOVA school premises near 
Chappar village, which we will now be refurbishing for use over the next 
few months. SOVA's application for the station has already been entered. 
An extensive communication needs assessment study has also been carried 
out, with quantitative and qualitative components, which has thrown up 
several practical pointers in terms of relevant content, listenership, 
and other support processes that will need to be evolved. We have also 
just concluded an orientation programme for community volunteers from 
the (approximately) 55 villages that fall nominally within our coverage 
area, and are in the process of preparing for the main training and 
installation proces, which will carry on through much of 2009.
The Hindu article actually stems from the local stakeholders workshop 
held in Koraput by SOVA on the 12th January, where other NGOs, officials 
from the district government and prominent members of local society were 
invited to input on how the CR station could be best used (and also be 
used to better leverage existing civil society and government 
development schemes).
Permit me to extend an invitation on behalf of on behalf of SOVA, UNICEF 
and Ideosync to visit the site and CRS. I hope this post inspires more 
people to write in about their own CR stations! And a small final 
clarification: My name is Ramakrishnan, and not Ram Mohan, as the Hindu 
reports - which should tell us all a little bit about the standards of 
accuracy we should meet with our content!
Warmest,
Ramakrishnan

----
Director of Projects
Ideosync Media Combine
177, Ashoka Enclave III
Sector 35, Faridabad - 121003
Haryana - India
Tel: +91-0129-4131883/6510156/2254395/2254396 (Prefix 95129- from Delhi)
Telfax: +91-0129-2254395 (Prefix 95129- from Delhi)
Mobile: +91-9810273883
Email: nram at ideosyncmedia.org

sajan venniyoor wrote:
>
> First community radio station launched in Koraput
>
> The Hindu, 18 Jan 2009, 
> http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/18/stories/2009011850760200.htm
>
> KORAPUT: It will be one of the greatest revolutions in the field of 
> spreading the benefits of effective communication in the rural tribal 
> pockets of Koraput district through community radio, Sunil Verma, 
> Programme communication officer of UNICEF said at Koraput.
>
> He was attending the workshop on the launching of the first community 
> radio station in the district.
>
> CAPACITY
>
> The station with a capacity to cover a distance of 25 km radius in air 
> will be established with the joint partnership of UNICEF and SOVA, a 
> leading voluntary organisation at Chapar , a tribal village near 
> Koraput, he said .
>
> While the station, initially would be managed with the support of the 
> facilitating organisation, it would gradually be handed over to the 
> community.
>
> Moreover the station would produce and air only the programmes 
> designed and prepared by the members of the community, he added.
>
> FINAL NOD
>
> While it would take a few months to get final clearance from the 
> government to establish, efforts were already made to develop 
> sufficient software packages with the involvement of the community, 
> Ram Mohan, the technical expert from IDEOSYNC Media Combine, New Delhi 
> who has been working with SOVA for the project, said.
>
> The radio station with its 12 village reporters would benefit at least 
> 53 villages with bridging the gaps by creating new information flows 
> and sharing process, Sanjit Pattnaik, Secretary, SOVA said.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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