GMR Radio @ 90.4 FM

Contact Person: Dr V. Jagan Naveen 

Broadcasting Language: Telugu and English

Genesis: GMR Radio was established with an aim to meet the informational needs of the communities in Rajam, Andhra Pradesh, and is based in the GMRIT campus. The CRS focuses on building a socially aware and inclusive community through its programmes and interventions. The CRS has been a catalyst of change in the target community since its inception.

Thematic Focus: The primary focus areas of Radio GMR are education, health, agriculture, employment, women empowerment, environment, and culture. The CRS also addresses prevalent social problems through its programmes. 

Sustainable Development Goals: The SDGs that the CRS focusses on and aspires to achieve are:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Primetime Programmes: The primetime programmes of GMR Radio are:

Employment News: The faculty of the institution designs the content to inform the community about employment opportunities listed in newspapers and employment magazines. 

Radio Vidya: An educational programme for students from classes 5-12. The programme also educates them about social responsibilities. 

Communication Skills: Srikakulam being one of the backward districts of AP, the communities need help in improving their communication skills, especially in the English language.  

Today’s Technology: This content is prepared by the Engineering faculty to update the youth about the latest developments in technology.

Doctor Advices: Doctors from GMR Varalakshmi Care Hospital advice the communities on matters pertaining to seasonal diseases, nutrition etc., and also promote a healthy lifestyle. 

Agriculture: The economy of the region is primarily dependent upon agriculture. Information related to agriculture is provided by Agricultural College, Naira, Srikakulam. This includes information related to soil testing, seasonal crops, yielding, types of diseases, and agri-farming. 

Rangastalam: The Rajam region is famous for stage artists, and the CRS provides them a platform to exhibit their talents. 

Innovations in format or any other way: GMR Radio helps the local communities by connecting them with experts from different fields. This helps them gather knowledge and seek expert opinions on various matters. GMR Radio gets doctors from its sister concern GMR Varalakshmi Care Hospital to address different health issues in the community. The CRS also hosts programmes that connect the community directly with civic bodies and police. The CRS organises several health camps, awareness campaigns,, and participatory events for the benefit of the community. 

Core Team: 11 members form the core team of Radio GMR. The Principal of GMRIT acts as the Station Director, and a professor of the institution acts as the Station Incharge. The core team also includes faculty members from the institution and teachers from schools.

The CRS is supported by more than 100 volunteers who contribute as editors, script writers, radio jockeys, and also help in programme recording and mixing.

Major Projects Undertaken: Radio GMR has been an active part of several initiatives. The CRS collaborated with DST for a project on health and nutrition for women and children from the weaker sections of the society. 

The CRS has developed many programmes and interventions that focus on topics/issues like girl child education, drinking water and hygiene, breastfeeding, agriculture, waste management, career guidance, and welfare schemes. All these initiatives have succeeded in creating an awareness in these areas and have had a significant impact on the community.

Sustainable Strategies: GMR Radio meets almost sixty percent of its expenses through funds from the parent organisation, GMRIT. The rest of the funds are raised through collaborative ventures with other organisations. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: There are 78 villages within the broadcast range of the GMR Radio. The CRS has an active listener base of 18,000 listeners. 

Major concerns in the Community: The community is primarily dependent on agriculture. Lack of awareness about the appropriate crops for the season and adequate usage of fertilisers often result in crop failure.