Radio Brahmaputra @ 90.4 FM

Contact Person: Mr. Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan

Broadcasting Language: Assamese, Sadri, Hajong, Deori and Mising

Genesis: Radio Brahmaputra 90.4 FM, also known as Brahmaputra Community Radio Station (BCRS), obtained its licence from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India (MIB) and began broadcasting on 7th July, 2015. 

The CRS caters to the needs of a diverse and rural community that needs support in different areas. Radio Brahmaputra has been able to address these needs and be a catalyst of change contributing to the transformation of its target community. 

Thematic Focus: Radio Brahmaputra 90.4 FM is dedicated to serving underprivileged communities in its coverage area, including those in tea gardens, riverine areas, and rural populations. The station focuses on several key areas of intervention, such as promoting maternal and child health, improving nutrition, enhancing livelihoods, preserving local culture, bridging gaps between different ethnic communities, and promoting government programmes for sustainable development. To achieve its objectives, the station employs various participatory and community-engaging tools in addition to its community radio platform. 

Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Brahmaputra is actively working towards these SDGs:

SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 13: Climate Action

Primetime Programmes: The primetime programmes of Radio Brahmaputra are: 

•     Puwar Brahmaputra: Puwar Brahmaputra is a live morning radio programme in the Assamese language that provides an infotainment format.
•       Ajir Brahmaputra: Ajir Brahmaputra is an evening live radio programme in the Assamese language that provides various local updates and positive happenings around the community.
•       Brahmaputra Live: Brahmaputra Live is a live radio programme that features subject experts from various sectors such as health, education, governance, livelihood, agriculture, finance, and careers. The program provides a platform for listeners to interact with these experts,
•       Cha Baganer Awaz: Cha Baganer Awaz (CBA) is a radio feature programme in the Sadri dialect that promotes the tea garden community dialect and encourages community participation through the radio platform. It aims to celebrate the unique culture and language of the tea garden community and create a platform for the community to engage and share their experiences. 
•       Phola Aagan is a radio programme in the Hajong language that promotes the dialect and encourages community participation through the radio platform. The program is designed specifically for the Hajong community and aims to preserve and promote the language and culture of the community. 
•       Igarekun is a radio programme in the Deori dialect of the Deori community. The programme focuses on promoting and preserving the language and culture of the Deori community through the radio platform. Through its various segments, Igarekun aims to showcase the unique heritage and traditions of the Deori people. 

Innovations in format or any other way:  Brahmaputra Community Radio Station is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to reach out to communities both within and beyond its coverage area. In addition to having a large number of listeners within its immediate coverage area, the station also has a significant following in different parts of the country. To reach out to these listeners, the station has established a strong presence on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.  Using participatory and community-engagement methods, the station works closely with different communities across various districts of Assam.

Core Team: There are five members who constitute the core team at Radio Brahmaputra. Each of them essays a unique role in ensuring the seamless operation of the CRS.

Major Projects Undertaken: The CRS collaborated with UNICEF for an initiative on disaster management. It has been involved in several campaigns related to COVID-19 in association with various organisations. The partnered with Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services on a project to empower the marginalised communities. It collaborated with UNICEF and BFFSR&LP for a project on early childhood development, nutrition and health. Radio Brahmaputra has also been a part of several awareness campaigns in association with CEMCA.

 Sustainable Strategies: The CRS’ approach to community interventions is centred around evidence-based, low-cost solutions that are implemented with full community participation. As a community-driven institution, the CRS works closely with the communities that it serves, going beyond the role as a radio station. The CRS is not dependent on licensed NGOs and is self-sustaining in its efforts to support community development. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Radio Brahmaputra covers parts of Dibrugarh, Dhemaji and Sivasagar, with a population of around 6,50,000 people, and its outreach potential is nearly 3,50,000 people. 

Major concerns in the Community: The local communities often face significant challenges such as limited connectivity, geographical isolation, frequent floods, inadequate access to health and education facilities, and a lack of skilled human resources. Unemployment is also a major concern, as well as the underutilization of local resources for development. Additionally, internal and out-of-state migration due to a lack of opportunities is becoming an increasingly critical issue for these communities. Radio Brahmaputra prioritises addressing these challenges through evidence-based interventions that are tailored to the unique needs of each community.