Voice Of Ambition

The concept of the community radio is surely catching the imagination of enlightened minds.In a world where everyone is euphoric about the internet and its effectuality in spreading world assonance, the radio seemed relegated to the background, dissonant, in discord with the ' latest'.But people forget that the oldest form of technological media;the radio is a cost effective and potent method of dissemination information,and knowledge which is a concomitant of information.We must spread this message of the 'community radio' which can be the hub of community information centres, at the district, block and village levels.With the popularity of the FM radio and podcasting, the typology of the radio will be used not only to garner information, but can be used interactively.I believe in the virtue of podcasting, and have been a podcaster myself.It can be used for education and literacy.In a country like India the latter is a must and podcasters can use innovative means to mobilise literacy and educational causes.

Ananya.S.Guha
Shillong.

You have aptly described some of the uses of podcasting. I believe that as cell phones become more integrated into the internet podcasts will directly reach cell phones and this way terrestrial radio will have serious competition through podcasting technology. There are bandwidth problems in these internet technologies which are limiting their growth but if peer to peer networks becomes a norm then cell phones can become all in one.

Community RADIO is not at all a new Venture, It could be for Indians in India, but In US at New York they have celebrated 30 years Festival of Music & Culture.  In Europe in Germany The Laws enacted in 1982 implemented in the year 1987 & to day the Best Journalists are produced from these COMMUNITY NET WORK OF RADIO & TV stations.  This is financed from 5% of the Licence fee Collected, & the difference ammount from the Charity & Fine paid to the Courts etc.   In addition it  Self Administrated without the participation of POLITICIS.  Fortunately I had the oppertunity to become one of the EXECUTIVE COMMITEE MEMBER for 4 year & relected for the 2nd TERM.  Community RADIO & TV if produced in INDIA  As per the structures of EUROPE, than it is the Gods gift to INDIAN DEMOCRACY?.  Which guarantees the FREEDOM OF SPEECH,  People can ventilate their Anger or Appreciations of Politicians working etc.
In this context I had requested the Chairperson of PRASARBHARATI, org. incharge for Door Darshan etc. to introduce in India with similar structure to Indian Youths, Seniors, Girls, Womens & or any one who is interested to say to the PUBLIC.  but FREE OF COST. in the name of Democracy & Freedom of Speech to SERVE INDIA.

You are right community radio is very popular in the USA even today. Institutions like the Benjamin Franklin Institute For Global Learning, an e learning site under the aegis of Oregon University every year organises the Global Learn Day sometime in September/October by means of podcasting where practitioners of education, literacy workers, reputed educationists especially in Distance and Open Learning systems speak about their experiences.So community radio is popular in the developed nations, contrary to thinking that the so called advanced countries only emphasise on ' modern ' technology'. What may not be modernist today, could be so years ago.But technology, right from the print media has to be viewed as parts of the whole.

Another good site for podcasting is:www.talkingcommunities.com, based in the USA.

Ananya Guha

Shillong.

An  Utopian India will truly be realised, when every person will get an opportunity to learn, and be educated. It pains me when I see little children serving tea in offices.They should be going to school.They should be viewing their favourite cartoons.They should  be laughing, with sunshine faces.

We have mouthed platitudes for all these decades.We have spoken of fundamental rights, literacy, and ''Education For All''. Now with all this hype about technology, e learning, mobile learning, we are directing our attention, to the elites and the priveledged.I know this is easier said than done, but concerted effeorts must follow.

Each distict and their respective blocks, must have learning centres equipped with atleast a radio, and a tv.NGOs must come  forward  to institute community radios.We must think of community learning centres, community information centres, where the community comes  and shares experiences ,  where their is decision making. Adult education should take the form of training. The old will teach the young.

Ananya.S.Guha.

The Community Radios background was , & is to communicate within the community area on Cultural developments & communication with each other which was not fulfilled from the Prasarbharati answerable for this.?  Neither PBharati has any Plans for Cultural communications- for Seniors, Youngsters, Teeny's, or Socially disadvantaged or discriminated people within the community.  Insted reserved only for the Educational requirements? which shows the interest of the Govt. Policy on Community Radio programmes?
COMMUNITY RADIO & TV PROJECTS IN EUROPE:
Are more than 2 decades old, and do not have any reservations as in India  only for education and not for the news or other things? shows the Govt. Policy is not to give the FREEDOM OF MEDIA in the hands of the common People? this is harmful in the developing Global requirements and the Democracy.
WHAT WE NEED?
Public financed COMMUNITY RADIO & TV PROJECTS as in many European country's & USA. unbiased freedom of media IN THE HANDS OF COMMON PEOPLEß