Radio Namkeen @ 91.2 FM

Contact Person: Kiran Verna, Station Manager & Producer

Broadcast Languages: Hindi, English, and Marathi

Broadcast Hours: 24 hours

Genesis: Midway through 2021, JRSPS, Nashik, and its technological partner Riggro Digital launched Radio Namkeen. 

Radio Namkeen is a community radio station dedicated to promoting women empowerment, education, and community development. Through its programmes, initiatives, and community engagement, the station strives to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, while fostering a sense of unity and positive social change within the community.

Thematic Focus: Radio Namkeen is a community radio station that focuses on several themes to create a positive impact on the community. These themes include women empowerment, education, community development, health and wellness, culture and entertainment, and cultural exchange. Radio Namkeen seeks to have a significant impact on the community through the adoption of these thematic focuses. 

Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Namkeen broadly focuses on achieving the following SDGs: 

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

SDG 17: Partnerships for the SDGs

Primetime Programmes: A compelling schedule of primetime programming on Radio Namkeen is intended to educate, amuse, and empower the neighbourhood. Namkeen Talks, Rhythms of Life, Education Hour, Women’s Voice, and Healthy Living are a few of these programmes. Namkeen Talks explores a variety of subjects, and Rhythms of Life honours the vibrant cultural heritage of the community. Education Hour features interactive educational material, while the Women’s Voice programme emphasises gender equality and women’s empowerment. The programme Healthy Living encourages listeners to take charge of their well-being.

Innovations in format or any other way: Radio Namkeen uses innovative techniques to reach out to its audience and maximise community engagement. These include interactive social media presence, mobile apps and podcasts, community outreach programs, collaborative storytelling, mobile broadcasting units, and language inclusion. An interactive social media presence allows listeners to engage with the station, provide feedback, and contribute to content creation. Mobile apps and podcasts allow listeners to access the station’s content on their smartphones, while community outreach programs involve conducting live broadcasts from community events, organising interactive workshops and seminars, and participating in local festivals.

Core Team: Radio Namkeen operates with a dedicated core team, staff members, and volunteers who work together to run the community radio station and bring its programs to life. The core team consists of experienced professionals who oversee the overall management, strategy, and direction of the station. The station manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and liaising with external stakeholders. The program producers are responsible for conceptualising, developing, and producing the content for Radio Namkeen’s various programs. The technical staff handles the equipment, sound engineering, and broadcasting aspects of the station. The marketing and outreach team is responsible for promoting Radio Namkeen within the community and attracting a wider audience. The volunteers assist in various roles, such as hosting programs, conducting interviews, providing technical support, and assisting with administrative tasks.

Major Projects Undertaken: Radio Namkeen has undertaken several projects to make a significant impact on the community. These include a Women Empowerment Campaign, a Community Health Initiative, and an Education for All project. The Women Empowerment Campaign focused on raising awareness about women’s rights and promoting gender equality, while the Community Health Initiative focused on promoting health and well-being. Radio Namkeen collaborated with local schools and educational institutions to organise workshops, provide educational resources, and support educational initiatives in underserved areas. It also initiated projects focused on community dialogue and peacebuilding, and an environmental sustainability campaign to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. These initiatives demonstrate the station’s commitment to addressing social issues, empowering the community, and fostering positive change. The CRS has been a part of the UNICEF-SMART initiative ‘Aarambh’ and the UNICEF-CRA initiative ‘Swasthya Sankalpa’.

Sustainable Strategies: Radio Namkeen implements sustainable strategies for funding its operations and community initiatives, such as sponsoring and advertising, seeking grants and funding opportunities, forming partnerships and collaborations, and providing value-added services. These strategies generate revenue and contribute to the station’s financial sustainability.