She is not just another lady in rural Madhya Pradesh, but A Radio Jockey Too. Ramvati got associated with Radio Dhadkan 107.8 FM six years ago, but now she has become a household name here.
“Whenever they see me, people say, ‘Here comes the Dhadkan Radio woman…,” grins Ramvati, a tribal woman from the Sahariya tribe. Her usual day starts with a walk to five villages under her purview, where she interviews people and gathers information for her very own radio programme on the local radio station, Radio Dhadkan.
While most women in these villages are mostly seen in a veil, Ramvati has created a unique identity for herself by using community radio as a tool for change and empowerment. Watch her beautiful journey as a radio jockey and how she has brought a change in these villages, and in her own life, through her work. like she says, “Without information, change is not possible.”
Ramvati lives in Patara village but covers five villages to produce her programmes and stories that reflect everyday concerns of the villagers. She has been an instrument of change and empowerment for the villagers. She talks about health, hygiene, lifestyle and importance of education through the community radio. She has made community radio a tool of empowerment. Villagers call her ‘radio woman’ and is making inroads of all tribal households through this name only.
A short documentary made on her bagged third price at UNESCO-CEMCA video competition. Her success also brings home the point that community radio is bringing significant changes in the lives of many.
Ramvati covers five villages on foot to record programmes for her shows. There are areas where radio signal don’t reach, so Ramvati plays the informative programmes with the help of a pen drive. Villagers now recognise her as radio woman and respect the work she is doing it.