Radio Vishnu @ 90.4 FM

Shri Vishnu Engineering College for Women, Vishnupur, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh – 534202 

Contact Person: Dr. S. Hanumatha Rao

Broadcasting Language: Telugu 

Genesis:  Sri Vishnu Educational Society realised the crucial role of community radio can play in the social upliftment of rural communities. 

Radio Vishnu 90.4 CR is the first campus-based community radio in Andhra Pradesh and was launched on 15th April, 2007. The CRS broadcast its programmes from the most compact, completely digital, tapeless, and multipurpose studio from the campus of Vishnu Educational Society to the areas of Bhimavaram. Radio Vishnu has been successful in driving a positive change in community through its programmes. 

Thematic Focus: Radio Vishnu 90.4 CR strives to provide radio programmes that are innovative and reflect the diverse voices of the local community. The primary focus areas of the CRS are health and nutrition, women empowerment, agriculture, education, and social justice.

Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Vishnu focuses its work on achieving the given SDGs:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Primetime Programmes: Radio Vishnu has a large pool of programmes that focus on areas including education, health, agriculture and its allied sectors, and science and technology. The CRS also broadcasts programmes that promote women empowerment. The rich culture and art of the region are also a part of the programmes at Radio Vishnu.

The programmes are developed in formats like skits, discussion, live phone-in interactions, and interviews, to intrigue as well as educate the listeners. 

Innovations in format or any other way: Radio Vishnu encourages a participatory approach in the community, and therefore involves the community members in all its activities and programmes. The CRS collaborates with organisations like My Choices Foundation, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Access Agriculture, Department of Science & Technology, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and Rice Research Station, to organise events and campaigns in the community. 

Core Team: Radio Vishnu has six CRMC members. The core team has five members who each handle a unique responsibility to ensure the seamless operation of the CRS.

Major Projects Undertaken: Radio Vishnu has been a part of many initiatives with organisations like UNICEF, CRA, CEMCA, My Choices Foundation, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Access Agriculture, Department of Science & Technology, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and Rice Research Station, for campaigns and initiatives across areas like agriculture, health and nutrition, COVID-19, and education. 

Sustainable Strategies: Around seventy five percent of the annual expenses of Radio Vishnu are met by the parent organisation, Sri Vishnu Engineering College for Women. The CRS also generates revenue through the means of externally funded collaborations.

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Radio Vishnu has an active listener base of nearly 95,000 people. The programmes of the CRS are also available through Web Radio. 

Major concerns in the Community: The major problems in the community are poverty, unemployment, migration, delinquency, drug abuse, crime against women and children, corruption, family and health problems, education, economic, cultural and environment issues, and human rights violation.