Ente Radio @ 91.2 FM

Contact Person: Mr. Fasal Ahammed

Broadcasting Language: Malayalam

Genesis: Kerala Rural Development Agency (KRDA) is a community development and research organisation established in 1986, with an excellent track record in implementing various development activities associating with Central and State governments. Ente Radio 91.2 is one of its development initiatives, licensed and monitored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The CRS became operational in 2014.

With its rich experience as an eminent community development organisation, the core team was capable of effectively designing and broadcasting programmes through the community radio station. The motto of the CRS is Ariyu Aswadikku (meaning ‘be aware, and enjoy’) and it is interwoven with the focal theme of community engagement. As a new initiative in the target area,  the CRS was successful in establishing a relationship with the community and gathering positive responses.

Thematic Focus: The major focus area of Ente Radio is the development of people from different sections of the society like farmers, artisans, women, senior citizens, patients under palliative care, underprivileged children, victims of natural calamities, sex workers, and transgenders etc. The CRS also focuses on catering to the needs of the rural community by developing appropriate programmes and initiatives. 

Sustainable Development Goals: Ente Radio aspires to achieve these goals:

SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Primetime Programmes: Onattukara Passenger is a live programme that discusses current events and challenges that the ordinary people and marginalised sections experience on a daily basis. The audience’s comments, recommendations and support have helped the programme remain tremendously successful. 

Radio Junction is a live programme covering various topics like current affairs, career guidance, job opportunities, education, live updates, news, and history. The programme is broadcast Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 12 PM. Ganamanjari, is a two-hour long evening programme that includes local folk songs and melodies.

Innovations in format or any other way: Ente Radio effectively using the web radio platform to attract more listeners towards its programmes and initiatives. The CRS also reaches out to different sections of the society through its listeners group known as Snehasena. 

Core Team: The staff at Ente Radio comprises the Executive Director, Station Director, two sound engineers, 2 marketing staff, and a group of four radio jockeys. The CRS is supported by an enthusiastic group of six volunteers who actively contribute to different stages of programme development and delivery. 

Major Projects Undertaken: The following are the projects that have been  successfully executed by the CRS.

• Snehakoodaram – Houses constructed for 13 destitute families; that includes those who lost their homes in natural calamities. 
• Vidhya Vikas –  Educational scholarship for 66 poor students
• Zero Hunger Project – Monthly ration food kit for 230 families
• Sneha Store – Collection and distribution of household articles
• Snehasudhi – Toilet construction for 48 bedridden patients
• Sneha Chalanam – Wheelchair distribution for 90 patients and hospitals
• Care to Home – Continuous palliative care services to bedridden patients
• Avarkkai Namukku Vangam – Shopping with and for destitute children 
• MANIA – Malinya Nirmarjana Yaknjam – Waste management Awareness Programme
• Vidarunna Mukulangal – A six-month project to build a drug-free society.  

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Many of these projects are internally developed initiatives of the CRS.  There are several other projects that were completed in association with leading organisations like UNICEF, and different government ministries. 

Sustainable Strategies: Ente Radio is primarily funded by its parent organisation, Kerala Rural Development Agency (KRDA). The CRS also generates revenue through the means of external collaborations with other organisations. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Ente Radio has an outreach potential of nearly ten lakh people and currently the CRS has an active listener base of nearly one lakh people. 

Major concerns in the Community: The major concern in the society is the lack of employment opportunities coupled with low wages. The community members also suffer from health issues that are often the result of an unhealthy lifestyle.