Radio Awaj Dahod @ 90.8 FM

Contact Person: Mr. Abbas Kharodawala

Broadcasting Language: Gujarati and Hindi

Genesis: Launched on 5th October 2018, Radio Awaj Dahod is a dream come true for Mr. Yusufi Kapadita, the founder of the NGO Blind Welfare Council. Mr. Yusuf is visually impaired and it has been one of his long-standing aspirations to set up a community radio station for the differently-able. The radio was always Mr. Yusuf’s best friend since his childhood. The CRS was set up with the aim to educate and help community members from all walks of life.

Thematic Focus: The major thematic focus area of Radio Awaj Dahod is empowering the differently-abled in leading an independent and respectable life. The CRS also focuses on other areas that include healthcare, women empowerment, education, etc. which contribute to the development of the community. 

Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Awaj Dahod aspires to achieve the following SDGs:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Primetime Programmes: One of the most popular primetime programmes is Farmaishee Songs  which is a live phone-in programme for listeners where they can request for their favourite songs to be broadcast. The show goes on air at 12 PM and 4 PM everyday. Apart from this, Radio Awaj also curates different shows based on its focus areas. The CRS aims to be a guiding light of hope for the differently-abled in the society. 

Innovations in format or any other way: Radio Awaj Dahod is a unique CRS in itself because of its motive and interventions. Apart from just broadcasting, the CRS designs a variety of interventions that touch the lives of the differently-abled and socially backward in the community. 

The CRS also has its own social media handles where it engages with its listeners. 

Core Team: The core team at Radio Awaj Dahod is led by Mr. Yusuf Kapadiya himself and he is assisted by the station manager, programme editor, and a team of radio jockeys.

Major Projects Undertaken: Radio Awaj Dahod has partnered with both CEMCA and UNICEF over the last two years to run campaigns on International Yoga Day and COVID-19 Vaccination.

Radio Awaj’s internal projects focus on community-specific interventions, especially for the differently-abled.

Sustainable Strategies: Radio Awaj Dahod sustains itself on the paid, partner projects, and voluntary services by different individuals and groups. The CRS has designed many interventions for the differently-abled and pitches it to funding partners for execution. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: The CRS has a potential outreach of approximately three lakh.

Major concerns in the Community: As a radio station with a very specific focus area, one of the major concerns that Radio Awaj Dahod is addressing is the need to create an equal pedestal for people from all walks of life and foster an inclusive attitude in the society.