The countdown for the first-ever community FM radio in the city has begun. Come February 2010, FM 107.8 or Jago Mumbai, will be launched in the western suburb of Bandra and aims to create awareness on civic issues, community development and social inclusion.
The brainchild of local resident Navin Chandra, chairman of the Union Park Residents’ Association (UPRA), Chandra feels radio is the strongest tool for communication within the community and claims it took him two-and-a-half years to obtain the necessary permissions. The radio station received the required license by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry in Delhi last week. The I&B ministry has approved Sea Hill building in Union Park, Khar (W) as the place from where the radio station will broadcast.
“In the case of a radio station, literacy is not an issue. One doesn’t need to know how to read or write. Further, it is free for the community,” said Chandra.
The radio station’s footprint covers a radius of 10 km and will reach Mahim, Dharavi, Bandra, Santa Cruz, Khar, Juhu, Vile Parle and Versova and involve people from all strata of society. “We will tap the slum pockets in these areas and also give them a voice. This can help us to understand their issues better,” said Surekha Kotwani, treasurer UPRA.
Among the many issues that the radio station has on its agenda, promoting cleanliness, health and sanitation, environment, waste management, water conservation and electricity are just a few. The radio station will also raise the issue of judicious use of plastics and suggest ways to deal with common lifestyle diseases and other daily concerns of Mumbaikars. “The problem with Mumbai is that we depend on the BMC or the government. Unless citizens do something, nothing will happen. We want to keep reminding them the responsibility to involve the community at large,” said Chandra. The station will also provide a platform for local talent and be broadcast in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English. Workshops on how to run a community radio will begin from Friday.
