Puduvai Vaani CRS @ 107.8 FM

Contact Person: Dr. V. Santhi Siri

Broadcasting Language: Tamil, Hindi & English

Genesis: Puduvai Vaani Community Radio Station was launched on 27th December 2008 to create awareness related to various issues among the local community and improve their living standards. Puduvai Vaani’s mission is to awaken, inform, enlighten, educate, and entertain all sections of the people, and also focuses on women empowerment, communal harmony, health, and education. The CRS provides a platform for the student community to explore their creativity and exhibit their talent.

Thematic Focus: The primary focus of Puduvai Vaani CRS is to empower the community through education. Puduvai Vaani produces special programmes in a standard format, both in Tamil and English. The Radio Tutor series and subject-oriented documentaries made by CRS aim to introduce Adaptive Learning Methods to the students of primary, secondary and higher education. The community members are provided opportunities to share their views, experiences and expectations. The CRS also provides internship training to students. 

Sustainable Development Goals: Puduvai Vaani CRS is aspiring to achieve these SDGs: 

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 13: Climate Action

Primetime Programmes: Puduvai Vaani CRS has a large pool of primetime programmes that are based on various areas like agriculture, education, environment, social concerns, health, and public policies. The CRS’ programmes are designed uniquely with the aim to both educate and entertain them. The programmes include discussion, live phone-in interactions, musicals, etc, to engage the listeners, Experts and distinguished personalities feature in shows to share their knowledge and experience with the community. The programmes are also a platform for the local community members to voice their concerns, clarify their doubts, and showcase their talents.

Innovations in format or any other way: In addition to the broadcasting services, the CRS devises unique interventions to cater to the specific areas in which the community members are engaged. The CRS has special programmes and initiatives for sections like fishermen, farmers, students, homemakers, and the marginalised and socially backward sections of the society. The CRS aims to forge a strong relationship with the community members and instil a belief of oneness in them. 

Core Team: The core team of Puduvai Vaani has four core members, who are supported student and staff volunteers from the Pondicherry University. Volunteers from the local community are also an integral part of the CRS, and they contribute to all activities at the station. 

Major Projects Undertaken: Some of the major projects undertaken by Puduvai Vaani CRS are Climate Countdown Campaign (in association with SMART), Election Awareness Campaign (in association with the Election Commission), and Zero Waste Campaigns. The CRS also works extensively on its internal projects for the welfare of the community. 

Sustainable Strategies: Puduvai Vaani is supported by funds from its parent organisation. The CRS is working on strategies to become a self-sustained entity by generating revenue through different methods including paid collaborations and advertisement. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Pillaichavady, Kalapet, Kanagachettikulam and Bommaiyarpalayam are the four villages that fall within the broadcast range of Puduvai Vaani. These villages have a population of 40,000 people. 

Major concerns in the Community: The community needs better healthcare infrastructure. Poverty, low income, unemployment, etc. are also issues that affect the community. The community members also need to be made aware of the welfare schemes of the government, so that they can benefit from these schemes.