Namma Dhwani CRS @ 90.4 FM

Contact Person: Mr. Shivashankar

Broadcasting Language: Kannada and Telugu

Genesis: The concept of Namma Dhwani Community Radio was conceived by MYRADA and VOICES NGO, in 2008. During the two years of waiting for clearance of the licence, the initiatives of the CRS were narrowcast in two villages. Namma Dhwani was established with support from UNESCO and grants from the MP Fund, during the initial phases. The CRS later managed to secure its own resources through the Community Managed Resource Centre (CMRC) approach. The CRS aims to create a just and humane society with equal access to knowledge, power, justice and rights, through its interventions. 

Thematic Focus: The major focus area of Radio Namma Dhwani is to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities for the rural community through its different initiatives. The CRS also focuses on areas like education, agriculture, women empowerment, environment, etc. that have a direct and lasting impact on the target community.

Sustainable Development Goals: Namma Dhwani aspires to achieve the given SDGs:

SDG 1: No Poverty

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

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institution

Primetime Programmes: The primetime programmes of Namma Dhwani are Arogya Sanjeevani, Krushi Salahe, Gnana Degula, Yeshogaathe, Grama Darshana, Mobile Messages, and Kaanoonu Spandane. 

Arogya Sanjeevani is a health-based programme. Krushi Salahe is an agricultural programme that features an expert who discusses various things like crops, seasonality issues, mixed crop patterns, productivity enhancements techniques etc. Gnana Degula is an educational programme featuring subject experts. Yeshogaathe is a programme where women for SHGs in rural areas share their experience and livelihood activities. Grama Darshana is a programme on the developmental activities in villages with the support of the grama panchayats. Mobile Messages is a programme where the audience share their concerns through the means of messages or letters. This programme also functions as an excellent feedback mechanism. Natural Resources Management is a programme that focuses on the environment and issues like climate change and global warming. Kaanoonu Spandane provides legal awareness to the listeners and covers a variety of rights and entitlements. 

Innovations in format or any other way: Namma Dhwani CRS reaches out to the community members in the rural areas to understand their concerns through routine interactions. This also helps in taking the initiatives of the CRS to the community members. 

Core Team: There are nine members who constitute the core team of Namma Dhwani CRS, and it includes the Station Manager, Programme Officer, radio jockey, and the field team. 

Major Projects Undertaken: Radio Namma Dhwani has been a part of several major initiatives in the region which include awareness campaign on water conservation and sanitation, awareness campaigns on COVID-19 and the subsequent vaccination drives, Poshan ki Potli (campaign on nutrition), and an awareness campaign on fake news. The key partners and collaborators of Namma Dhwani CRS include UNICEF, CRA, SMART, Factshala, and Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department (Government of Karnataka).

Sustainable Strategies: MYRADA, the parent organisation of Namma Dhwani CRS financially supports the CRS through different fund mobilisation strategies. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Namma Dhwani’s broadcast range covers nearly 152 villages with around 13,000 families. The CRs estimates that at least 8,000 families are active listeners of the CRS’ programmes. The CRS also clocks nearly 9,000 listeners on its mobile radio application. 

Major concerns in the Community:  Awareness programmes on employment opportunities can help many in the community. The women in SHGs and marginal farmers require support to improve their livelihood. The local educational and healthcare infrastructure needs to be improved, along with sanitation facilities in the region.