Gulbarga NGO to launch CR station

MUMBAI: The Sharanbasaveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha will set up its community radio station in Gulbarga, Karnataka within an estimated three months' time.

With this, the number of CRS will increase to 39 in the country.

According to a government release, the ministry of information and broadcasting has signed a Grant of Permission Agreement for establishing, maintaining and operating a Community Radio Station (CRS) with the Sharanbasaveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha, a Gulbarga base NGO.

Radio Bundelkhand launched

NEW DELHI: For the first time, a non-governmental organization has launched a community radio station, thanks to the liberalized policy adopted by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

The channel, launched by the Society for Development Alternatives, was operationalised late last week at Taragram, Orchha, in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. The Society is a Delhi based NGO and is the first to establish, maintain and operate a Community Radio under the new policy.

First Caribbean community library radio launched

MUMBAI: The first Caribbean community library radio Infolight FM 108.0: The Power of the Information Literacy through Young Voices, was officially launched by Carl Bethel, Minister of Education of the Bahamas, on 16 October 2008, at the Bahamas Library Service. This project is implemented in partnership with UNESCO.

BSF to launch community radio in Imphal

IMPHAL: The country's Border Security Force will launch a community radio service in Manipur before the end of the current financial year.

BSF DIG, Sector Hqs CI (Ops), Gopal Krishna made the announcement at the hand over function of four computer sets to Advance Intermediate College, Moirang on Thursday, according to reports in the Sangai Express.

The requisite sanctions have been obtained as also a grant of Rs 2.5 million to start the CR service, the report adds.

"Ham Radio no longer just a hobby"

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio (GIAR) hosted HamfestIndia-2008, the annual gathering of radio amateurs from India on 11 and 12 October, at the sprawling Town Hall, Gandhinagar, capital of Gujarat.

Over 300 delegates from different parts of India, mostly from the western parts of the country, attended it.

Gujarat Assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt lighted the inaugural lamp for the Hamfest. During his brief speech, he emphasised that amateur radio ( or ham radio as it is popularly called) is no longer a hobby , and is a necessity now.

Sangham goes on air

MUMBAI: History was made today when Sangham Radio, India's first Rural Community Radio Station was inaugurated at Machnoor Village in Medak District by former Supreme Court Justice P B Sawant. This is also the first all woman community radio station in Asia.

CR station Ramana Voices for physically challenged launches in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Bangalore based Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy of the Blind has launched a first of its kind community radio station in Asia yesterday. The Ramana-Voices FM 90.4 is the station that will be available initially over a radius of six to seven kilometers of the academy.

Legislation for sustainable community radio needed

NEW DELHI: In December 2002, the Government of India approved a policy for grant of licenses for setting up community radio stations to well established institutions.

On 16 November 2006, the government notified a new community radio policy which permits NGOs and other civil society organizations to own and operate community radio stations as well.

IGNOU launches 6 month certificate prog on community radio

NEW DELHI: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced its plan to launch a six-month certificate programme in 'community radio' from January 2009.

IGNOU will launch the programme in collaboration with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA).

IGNOU Vice Chancellor V N Rajasekharan Pillai said, In the certificate programme IGNOU has added a 10 day internship as a compulsory component of the programme to ensure that students get a first hand experience at a community radio station....

'Training is very important for community radio'

NEW DELHI: The Community Radio Conference organised by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) being held in the Capital has emphasised the fact that training is very important and a must to drive community radio services in India.