Radio Vatsagulm @ 90.8 FM

Contact Person: Mr. Irfan Sayyad 

Broadcasting Language: Marathi

Genesis: Radio Vatsagulm – Always Awaj is a community radio station that is based in Washim, Maharashtra. The radio station became operational on 1st May 2015 and committed to developing and delivering radio programmes that address the specific needs and concerns of the target community. Throughout the years of its service, the CRS has ceaselessly worked on community-oriented projects which ensures the welfare of all community members. The CRS has been able to bring a positive impact on the lives of its community members. 

Thematic Focus: The major focus areas of Radio Vatsagulm are agriculture, education, women empowerment, promoting entrepreneurial ventures, and gender equality. The CRS disseminates crucial agriculture information to the farming community and contributes to their well-being. The CRS aims for the empowerment of the marginalised sections of the community through its programmes. The CRS promotes women empowerment by focusing on the cottage industry, enhancing health awareness and legal literacy. The CRS also works on mitigating dropout rates in local schools by creating educational content in the local language.

 Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Vatsagulm focuses on the given SDGs:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 15: Life on Land

Primetime Programmes: The primetime programmes that are broadcast on Radio Vatsagulm include Krushi Sandesh, Swamini, College Kata, Hi Bhet Shahirachi, Hello Vatsagulm, Gosht Gava Gavchi, and Happy Morning. These programmes are educational and entertaining in nature, and also serve the purpose of passing on vital information to the listeners on a variety of subjects. The programmes are designed in formats that intrigue and engage the listeners and often feature distinguished personalities and experts from different fields. The CRS is also a platform for the local community to voice their concerns, connect with each other and showcase their talents. 

Innovations in format or any other way: People from rural areas do not necessarily tune in to radio programmes. In such a scenario, it becomes important to reach out to them and understand their concerns. Radio Vatsagulm regularly interacts with community members through the means of narrowcasting and other social events. 

Core Team: Radio Vatsagulm has seven CRMC members on its board, and there are six members who constitute the core team which includes Station Incharge, Technical Operator, a team of radio jockeys and support staff.

Major Projects Undertaken:  Radio Vatsagum has been a part of the Aamchi Urmila initiative, Financial Literacy Initiative, the International Day of Yoga campaigns in 2021 and 2022, to name a few projects that the CRS has worked on. The CRS partnered with organisations like UNICEF, SMART, CRA, CEMCA, SBC3, Factshala, and Crisil for a variety of initiatives that include social awareness campaigns and vaccination drives for COVID-19.

Sustainable Strategies: Radio Vatsagulm is financially supported by its parent body and the CRS also generates revenue through the means of externally funded projects. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Radio Vatsagulm covers almost 30 villages within its broadcast range and is estimated to have a potential outreach of at least 3 lakh people. 

Major concerns in the Community: The farmers in the community struggle with many issues which include lack of knowledge about the latest technologies and practices and the lack of access to them. The community is also affected by unemployment, poverty, and a lack of adequate healthcare and educational infrastructure.