With the lack of mainstream media in rural areas, community radio stations have been playing a vital role both in creating awareness about the deadly virus and also in connecting people from these neighbourhoods with the rest of the world.
From conducting online classes for school as well as college goers to teaching the correct way of wearing a mask, following social distancing norms to even interacting with psychologists on issues related to the pandemic to providing entertainment, these radio programmes convey all this and much more all in the local dialect of the region.
Ranchi University’s Radio Khanchi 90.4 FM- Hum sab ka radio commenced during the Covid period. Due to the lockdown, the radio has been broadcasting lectures classes for the students and ahs aired about 1400 classes in 40 subjects.
“A special show called ‘Doctor’s Time’ is aired thrice a week- Monday, Wednesday and Friday where City based doctors answers questions raised by the listeners related to nutrition, health and immunity during these times. Psychologists and psychiatrists are also invited to help people overcome the Covid-19 stigma and discrimination. Yoga sessions are also conducted to help radio lovers stay fit and healthy from the comfort of their homes,” said Director Radio Khanchi Anand Kumar Thakur.
Giridih based Radio Jagriti 90.4 FM has been airing a special series called ‘Mission Corona’ for its listeners since July.
“A programme called ‘Mission Corona’ is being aired in association with UNICEF and CRA (Community Radio Association) from July. The show has a total of 10 episodes and deals with topics like what is Coronavisrus, its symptoms, precautions, proper way of wearing a mask, rules of home quarantine, social distancing norms and care for the elderly amongst others. Each episode is of 30 minutes and is aired three times a week,” informed Director Radio Jagriti Rajesh Prasad Verma.
Radio Jagriti has also been broadcasting online classes for students from standard I to XII since May 1. “The classes are being aired especially for students belonging to the remote areas who do not have any access to television and internet. The sessions are also uploaded on our YouTube channel called Radio Jagriti 90.4 FM,’ added Verma. The shows are aired in the local languages Khortha and Santhali.