New Delhi: Catering to special interests of population, digital internet radio platform Radiowalla.in is all set to launch a special channel for the Gay and Lesbian Community (LGBT) in India.

The 24x7 channel will be available on all broadband connected devices and mobile phones with a data plan supporting android, iOS, blackberry and java feature phones operating systems. The channel content plan will include the eclectic musical taste of the community from around the world, live-talk format call-in shows on fashion, lifestyle and social issues. It will also include interviews with prominent leaders of the community who are now role models of society, pop culture, entertainment, activism and counseling.

Speaking about the launch, Radiowalla Network Private Limited CEO and co-founder Anil Srivatsa said, “One of the main objectives of Radiowalla.in, as a platform, is to cater to special interests of a population which are not being addressed by mainstream media adequately. I believe that the Gay and Lesbian population can benefit from a space of their own.  This community has style, they are upwardly mobile and they are coming out to show the nation that they have to be accepted. It is about time they get a voice of their own in the national discourse. I am delighted at this decision to have their participation as part of our offering.” 

“We would love the South Asian LGBT community around the world to contribute, participate and also add to this channel with more of their own content to be part of our offering on Radiowalla.in,” company’s co-founder Harry Bhatia added.

A TNN report on the Gay population in India states that if the most conservative western estimate of 2 percent is taken and extrapolated on the Indian population in the assumption that gayness is universal, the Indian gay community — including men and women — would at least be over 20 million strong, which is larger than some of the minority communities in India.

Popular playwright and director Mahesh Dattani expressed, "Radio has the power to reach out and communicate effectively through dialogue, discourse and outreach. The LGBT community I am sure will make good use of it to build their identity and address issues that concern them specifically. Communities all over the world ranging from farmers, religious sects, women, linguistic minorities etc. have benefitted greatly by the power of this medium. This is a step in the right direction towards a more sophisticated and egalitarian society."

Radiowalla.in has already  initiated over twenty radio stations which are carefully created and curated by professionals offering wide range of music, non-music and talk shows with personalities like ‘The Kiran Bedi Show’ and others.