Radio Gyanmalinee @ 90.8 FM

Contact Person: Dr Jitu Ranjan Chetia

Broadcasting Language: Hindi, Mising, Sadri (tea-tribes), Nepali, Bengali and in English

Genesis: The Gyanmalinee Community Radio Station was established by Dibrugarh University in the year 2019  with support and licensing from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. The commissioning of the programmes of the station was done on 7th of February, 2019 as a part of the extension and outreach activities of the university.  It aims to serve the needs of the community surrounding in and around the university with the motto of giving back to the society. Gyanmalinee is committed to social welfare and to encourage the community in its overall growth. The CRS strives to reach the last of individuals in the community and provide them the opportunity to voice their concerns, and uphold their right to freedom of expression. 

Thematic Focus: The CRS has primarily focused its intervention on the following areas for the target community: education, agriculture, health and well-being, law, and justice. Governance, environment, gender equality, and professional and economic development are further areas of emphasis. 

Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Gyanmalinee aims at achieving the given SGDs:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 13: Climate Action

Primetime Programmes: The knowledge-based Pragyar Batere programme is broadcast during primetime and covers topics like science and technology, social science and history, environmental challenges, and teacher training. Xarir Aru Mon is a programme on physical and mental health. Hello Doctor Is an interactional programme between community members and doctors. Gramya Bani is a rural community-based programme. Pathare Bazare is an exclusive training programme for farmers and entrepreneurs, dealing with topics ranging from specific farming methods to market trends. Aainor Janibologia Kotha is an awareness programme on law and justice.

Innovations in format or any other way: Along with broadcasting, the CRS regularly narrowcasts its programmes in the remotest areas of the community. The CRS produces programmes in all local languages and dialects, and fosters an inclusive attitude towards all sections of the community. Live coverage of different community functions and traditional practices enables to promote and protect local culture and heritage. 

Core Team: The radio station is governed by the Board of Management which is chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the university. The Programme Management Committee is responsible for strategic planning, and monitoring the quality of the programmes. The Chairperson is the Head of the CRS who deals with all the stakeholders, and takes initiatives for the overall development of the station. The CRS has two Programme Executives who are responsible for the programme content and daily broadcasting. 

The CRS has twenty volunteers who contribute as presenters and programme developers, and are the backbone of the station. These volunteers are students and alumni from the neighbouring villages.

Major Projects Undertaken: The CRS has completed several major projects including awareness campaigns on voting rights, immunity enhancement, International Day of Yoga, digital literacy, fake news, disaster management and safety measures, and gender-based violence. 

The key partners of the CRS include SMART, CEMCA, TERI, UNICEF, Rashtriya Madhyamik Sikhsa Abhiyaan (RMSA), Samagra Siksha Abhiyaan (SSA), Krishi Vigyaan Kendra (KVK), Assam Medical College (AMC), Election Commission of India (ECI), Ministry of Ayush,  and Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Sustainable Strategies: Radio Gyanmalinee meets nearly eighty five percent of its expenses with financial support from its parent organisation, Dibrugarh University. The rest of the funds are procured by generating revenue through externally funded projects executed in collaboration with other organisations. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Radio Gyanmalinee has a very large community base including students, villages, tea-gardens and char areas. The CRS has an active listeners base of at least 20,000 listeners. 

Major concerns in the Community: Lack of awareness of laws, rights, entitlements, government schemes and welfare policies etc. affect the community. The community also needs support in the areas of education, economic growth, digital literacy, and developing scientific temper.