University aspirants, community (radio) ki awaaz suno...
As the admission gets in full swing, community radio stations in Delhi help people by providing career counselling, talks on mental health and discussions with academicians. They also invite students to talk about latest trends, fashion and campus life.
Apart from Delhi University Community Radio (DUCR), there are other universities in the city which are giving a new voice to the university aspirants . Radio Jamia of AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Milila Islamia (MCRC Jamia), and Apna Radio of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) are the community radio stations that are run from the campus.
They provide students with career guidance, and important information during admission season, and also give them a platform to hone their communication skills. Junaid Hussain Khan, a 2nd year student of MCRC Jamia, says, “It helps in skill development and confidence building. Community radio teaches us to communicate in a simple language.”
Community radios play an important role in building communities and highlighting various causes that might otherwise go unnoticed. These radio stations have the power to reach niche sections of the society and involve people.
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Saba Parveen, assistant engineer, Radio Jamia, says, “Community radio is within the reach of the community. It is ‘for the people and of the people’. For our students, it helps them by imparting practical knowledge of radio communication.” Radio Jamia is available on 90.4 FM in areas like Jamia Nagar, Okhla and Zakir Nagar.
The topics discussed are child labour, women health, and campus life to public welfare. Rajendra Chugh, head of programming at IIMC, says, “Last month, we did a series on adolescent health, titled Teen Talk, where we conducted phone-in sessions between our listeners and doctors. Such programmes help people reach out and ask questions which they otherwise feel shy about.” Apna Radio is available on 96.9 FM in places like Munirka, Kishangarh and Neb Sarai.
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One element which is common to these radio stations is folk music. Saba says, “Folk music helps remind people of their roots aur unki zameen se unka link rakhta hai.”
At Apna Radio, musicians and singers from the neighbouring areas of Neb Sarai and Munirka, are invited to sing and record songs. Chugh says, “These are the people who sing in their native languages and bring a regional flavour, reminding others from the community of their homes. These folk songs, in languages like Maithili, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi and Punjabi, are not played on other radio stations.”
Other Community Radio Station in Delhi
DUCR: Runs at the frequency of 90.4 FM, and reaches upto 14 km, covering areas such as university campus grounds, Azadpur and Sanjay Puri. Shows are broadcast daily between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, and popular programmes include DU ki Hulchul, Youth Talent, Community Special.
JIMS Radio: Runs at the frequency of 96.9 FM, and reaches upto 15 km, covering areas such as Rohini and Mongolpuri. Shows are broadcast daily between 9:30 am and 9:30 pm, and popular programmes include Jeevan hai Anmol, Youth Booth, Community ki Awaaz.
Campus Radio in the USA
1. Community radio started off as campus radio in the USA, around 1960s.
2. Run by students, these radio stations featured underground bands, and also updated the listeners about campus events and local happenings.
Read: Stay in touch with culture to discover music: Folk singers in Noida show
