Radio Popcorn @ 90.4 FM

Contact Person: Mr. Mrityunjay Singhai 

Broadcasting Language: Hindi & English

Genesis: Radio Popcorn was established in 2008 by RKDF Institute of Science & Technology, Bhopal.  The CRS provides knowledge and information in both formal and informal ways to its listeners. It provides a medium of communication to its listeners, and is focused on communities living within the transmission zone of the radio station. It reaches out to every section of the community with the motive to ensure that the marginalised and underprivileged among the community is able find a voice through the community radio to express their concerns and views. 

Thematic Focus: The primary focus areas of Radio Popcorn are education, health, youth empowerment through better career prospects, and economic growth. The CRS disseminates information on a wide range of subjects that can contribute directly to the well-being and growth of the target community.  

Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Popcorn aspires to achieve the SDGs given below:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Primetime Programmes: Radio Popcorn adopts a unique method for the broadcast of its programmes. It broadcasts its programmes based on a weekly theme which is decided upon by the listeners, volunteers, and students in the listener group meetings held by the CRS.

The programmes at Radio Popcorn are mostly focused on youth. This includes career guidance, information about courses and universities, and other information that can help them navigate towards a better future. 

Innovations in format or any other way: In addition to broadcasting, Radio Popcorn regularly organises meetings and events for the students/listeners. The CRS has a listener group that reviews the programmes and ideates innovative styles of content creation, packaging and delivery. 

Core Team: The team at Radio Popcorn is constituted of twelve members and is led by the Station Manager. The CRS has a panel of teachers who give their input about the programmes of the station. The feedback helps the CRS curate suitable content for its programmes. 

The CRS is also actively supported by its student volunteers who contribute to all the activities.

Major Projects Undertaken: Radio Popcorn collaborated with DST in a project that pilot-tested finding ways to teach Mathematics in a creative manner to school-going children. The CRS was also part of the TB Challenge to spread awareness about Tuberculosis, and another initiative on election awareness in association with the Election Commission of India. 

Sustainable Strategies: Funds from RKDF Educational Society, the parent organisation of Radio Popcorn, meets nearly eighty percent of the annual expenses of the CRS. The remaining amount is raised through the means of externally funded collaborations.

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Radio Popcorn’s broadcast range covers the suburbs of Misrod, Jatkhedi, Bagsewania and Bangrasia and has an outreach potential of nearly two lakh people. Since the CRS primarily caters to the student community in the campus, the active listener base is around 5,000 listeners. 

Major concerns in the Community: The major concern in the student community around the CRS is the lack of effective communication skills. This affects them during interviews and placement drives.