[cr-india] "Tune in to rural radio - Koraput gets first station in Orissa"

[sajan venniyoor]

Tune in to rural radio - Koraput gets first station in Orissa
The Telegraph, 19 Jan 2009

*Bhubaneswar, Jan. 18:* Community radio stations, believed to be an
important tool for social empowerment of marginalised people, are finally
making inroads into rural Orissa.

Bringing useful communication and radio programmes relevant to the community
it serves, Koraput is ready with the first community radio station in the
state.

With a capacity to cover 15km radius on air, the station is being set up
with the joint partnership of Unicef and Sova, a leading NGO in Orissa.

The station at Chappar village, about 6km from the Koraput district
headquarters, will be fully managed by the community and will cover about 51
villages, including Koraput town.

The programmes will be designed by the community themselves and will be
accessible to a population of about 1.5 lakh, said Sanjit Pattnaik, the
secretary of Sova. At least 12 village youths, including five girls, have
been trained as reporters, while one station manager has been appointed for
it.

"Their role will involve collection of news to be broadcast. Besides, we
will also play programmes highlighting the culture and tradition of the
area," said Pattnaik.

"As of now, we will initially run recorded shows for trial base till we get
final clearance from the government," he said, adding that the district
collector was a part of the advisory committee. Programmes relating to
development, government schemes, including NREGA, besides a host of
awareness and advocacy programmes will be its major contents.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090119/jsp/nation/story_10408775.jsp
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