Radio Malabar @ 89.6 FM

Contact Person: Krishnakumar Kannoth (Station Director) 

Broadcast Languages: Malayalam, Hindi, English and Sanskrit

Genesis:  After many people expressed a strong interest in listening to a variety of radio programmes and promised their support for the establishment of a CRS in the community, the Salil Sivadas Foundation established Radio Malabar 89.6 FM. The CRS was launched on November 11th, 2022, and was formally inaugurated on January 7th, 2023.

Thematic Focus: Radio Malabar was launched with the goal of providing the target community with the best services possible. The CRS helps the neighbourhood learn about a variety of subjects, including agriculture, women’s empowerment, elder care, art, literature, science, and social development.

Sustainable Development Goals: The SDGs that the CRS focuses on are 

SDG: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. 

SDG: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. 

SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Primetime Programmes: The prime time programmes of Radio Malabar are Janasamaksham (programme on career opportunities), Charithrapadham (programme on history), Vachanamritham (quotes by famous personalities), Kavyadhara (poetry recitation programme), Prabhatha Chintha (morning show), Haritha samrudhi (agriculture-based programme), Naattile Paattu (interactive musical programme), Doctorodoppam (health programme), Sthree Tharangam (a programme on women-empowerment), Gandhilayam (Gandhian thoughts), Sargajalakam (a programme on literature), Gramasabha (interactive programme with the local authorities), Vayanashala (a programme on books), Nadakaneram (interaction with theatre artists), Vijayagadha (success stories), and Sasthraveedhi (programme on science and technology).

Some student-focussed programmes are Radio at School, Hamaree Rashtrabhasha, Easy English, Radio Quiz, and Prathikaranam. These programmes are designed to give opportunities for students to present and improve their skills and language proficiency. Additionally, the CRS also relays All India Radio news bulletins in Malayalam, Sanskrit, English and Hindi.

Innovations in format or any other way: In addition to terrestrial broadcasting, the CRS successfully overcomes the issue of terrestrial reception using internet radio, and the application is available on Google Play Store and Apple iStore. The content is also shared on different social media platforms.

Core Team: At the moment, the staff is 11 strong and engaged. It includes a Station Director, Director (Broadcasting), Director (Programmes), Director (Administration) and a panel of Programme Producers/Presenters. The Director of Programmes is responsible for the content that can be used to develop various programmes and programme ideas. The Director of Administration oversees all administrative tasks and deals with both commercial customers and content. Other employees are engaged in live broadcast duties, production work, and the gathering of local advertisements.

Major Projects Undertaken: The CRS has undertaken many regional and state-level projects with different government bodies and NGOs and is making continuous efforts to be a part of major projects at the national level.  

Sustainable Strategies: About 20% of the budget is contributed by the Salil Sivadas Foundation.  The CRS has applied for advertisements from the BOC and the state government’s PRD. It plans to raise the remaining 80% of the funds through joint ventures with various government and private organisations.

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: With a population of 4 to 5 lakhs, the CRS covers 3 municipalities and 5 panchayaths in the surrounding area.  The active listener base is estimated to be about 1.50 lakh people from this outreach potential.

Major concerns in the Community: The attitude towards the socially backward segments of the community needs to change, and women’s status needs to be elevated. The majority of the community members also require help implementing contemporary agricultural practices. The CRS seeks to increase the proportion of women in society’s mainstream by making the knowledge and skills of women available to the entire community through a variety of programmes designed for them. Other significant issues in the neighbourhood include family conflicts and other social ills.