The 8th National Community Radio Conference was successfully organized by the Mumbai, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Communications (IIMC) at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai. The conference was held under the major initiative of the Ministry of Waves 2025, which aims to empower the community media landscape in India through innovation, inclusion and influence.
Inaugurating the conference, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan said that community radio is not just media, it is the activeness of governance, it is practical empowerment. He stressed that this conference is not just a discussion platform, but “a celebration of public voices-the world, authentic and ground voices that arise from places where mainstream media does not arrive often.”
Dr. Murugan appreciated the role of community radio in the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGS) and described it as a “lifeline” and “true sense of democracy” for the marginalized communities. Describing India as a global leader in digital communication, he outlined the role of community radio stations working over 531 across the country and reiterated the government’s commitment.
The main feature of this conference was also the distribution of the 10th National Community Radio Awards, with 12 outstanding radio stations honored for their unique contribution to community engagement and social influence.
On this occasion, Dr. L. Murugan congratulated the winners and said that the purpose of this national conference is to strengthen community media in India through innovation, inclusion and influence. The Union Minister of State said that community radio is a means of reaching citizens in all corners of the country. He said that community radio across the country is engaged in some welfare objective and is supporting good objectives including promoting Indian tradition and culture. Community radio stations are taking the concept of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and important development initiatives of the central government to all parts of the country. These stations are giving a new dimension of welfare activities for various communities and groups like women and tribal communities.
Mr. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) and NFDC MD Mr. Prithul Kumar and IIMC Vice Chancellor Dr. Anupama Bhatnagar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Mr. Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said in a vote of thanks that with more than 531 working stations, community radio has now become a lifeline of ground communication. It adds people to their own language and dialect, addresses local issues and brings changes. He thanked Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav for his leadership and thanked Dr. Murugan for supporting the community radio movement.
He informed that financial assistance has been given to 176 stations so far and more than 50 proposals are being considered. He also announced three regional conferences in eastern, southern and northern India and shared plans to promote the sustainable operation system of stations through solar power grants.
In this conference, representatives of more than 400 community radio (CR) stations across the country gathered on one platform to provide an opportunity for communication and cooperation. Currently, there are 531 community radio stations across the country. The conference emphasized the important role of community radio in generating public communication and awareness and their ability in social development.
10th National Community Radio Award winner
Category: Popper prize
– First Prize: Radio Mayur, District Saran, Bihar, Program: For Tech Sakhi
– Second Prize: Radio Kochi, Kerala, Program: For Nirgana
– Third Prize: Hello Doon, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Program: For my point
Category: Most New Community Participation Award
– First Award: Yalawani Sangli, Maharashtra, Program: Story Sunanda
– Second prize: Vaylaga Vanoli, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Program: Let’s create a new criteria
– Third Prize: Salaam Namaste Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Program: Maid Didi
Category: Awards for promoting local culture
– First Prize: Radio Brahmaputra, Dibrugarh, Assam, Program: For Igarekun
– Second Award: Radio Kotagiri, Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu, Program: N Makkaludan Oru Pionam
– Third Prize: Radio Active, Bhagalpur, Bihar, Program: Amazing Heritage of Anga Pradesh
Category: Stability Model Award
– First Prize: Radio Benziger operated by Bishop Benzigar Hospital Society, Kollam, Kerala
– Second prize: Radio Namaskar, Konark, Odisha run by Young India
– Third Prize: Radio Antani, Gulbarga, Karnatak
