The festival commenced with a vibrant and soulful performance by the Blue String Band, a multilingual musical collective known for its Sufi and retro renditions. The event was officially inaugurated by Mr. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Director General, All India Radio and News Services Division, Dr. Benno Boer, Chief, Natural Sciences Unit, UNESCO, and Ms. Archana Kapoor, Founder, The Radio Festival. Ms. Archana Kapoor, in her welcome address, emphasized the indispensable role of radio in fostering community connections and inclusivity, stating: "Radio has the unique ability to unite people across geographies and backgrounds, creating a shared experience of culture, diversity, and resilience." Highlighting the power of community radio, she reiterated that these stations serve as trusted sources of information, particularly in an era of misinformation, by leveraging their deep-rooted presence and credibility within local communities.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Sanjay Jaju emphasized the crucial role of community radio in amplifying local voices and acting as a first responder during crises. He noted the remarkable growth of community radio in India, with the number of stations expanding from 114 in 2014 to 530 today. He further committed to supporting financial sustainability and innovation in the sector. During the session, SMART’s Gender Manual for Equity and Equality in Community Radio was released, a guide developed through two years of consultations aimed at fostering gender-sensitive spaces in radio stations.
The session The Climate Frequency – The Role of Radio in Combating Climate Change explored how radio can amplify climate awareness, drive mitigation efforts, and support communities facing climate-induced disasters. Shubhashis Dey from Solutions for Sustainable Living spoke on the power of radio in making climate change more tangible and actionable for grassroots communities. Gayatri Mhaske from KVK Pravara, Ahmednagar, discussed how changing weather patterns impact farmers and how community radio can provide timely, life-saving information. RJ Purab from Red FM, Delhi, shared the success of Gutli Returns, a campaign that led to the planting of over 10 lakh trees across India. Vijendra Sajwan from All India Radio emphasized the role of radio in disaster management and urged for technological integration to enhance accessibility.
The session Rewriting the Script – Exploring Radio’s Role in Gender Inclusivity, moderated by Archana Kapoor from SMART, addressed how radio can drive gender equity and create safe spaces. Shilpi Marwaha from Sukhmanch Theatre Group advocated for gender-sensitive storytelling to challenge societal norms. RJ Hari from City FM highlighted the responsibility of radio professionals in ensuring gender-sensitive content and breaking stereotypes. Rajinder Negi from Radio Henvalvani shared how women in Uttarakhand are leading social movements and dominating the community radio workforce.
The session Airwaves for Identity – Preserving Indigenous Languages Through Community Radio, moderated by Manoj Mainkar from AIR, underscored the role of radio in preserving India’s linguistic heritage. Padma Shree Anvita Abbi, a linguist from JNU, stressed the urgency of safeguarding India’s 700+ unscripted languages. RJ Abdul Majid Lone from Radio Uri shared an emotional account of how broadcasting in a local dialect strengthened community representation. Bhaskar Bhuyan from Radio Brahmaputra emphasized the power of multilingual broadcasts in connecting diverse communities.
The debate session Is Radio Dying or Thriving?, moderated by RJ Nasir from DPS Radio, Kashmir, explored radio’s relevance in the digital age. Some panelists argued that digital media is overshadowing traditional radio, while others highlighted radio’s continued significance, especially during emergencies. Ultimately, the audience overwhelmingly favored radio’s continued evolution and adaptability.
Lightning Talks featured radio professionals, including N.A. Shah Ansari from Radio Namaskar, Odisha, and Dr. Manmohan Singh from Sanjha Radio, who discussed their books on community radio, covering topics from content creation to grassroots engagement. The Audio Quiz was a nostalgia-filled interactive segment where attendees identified famous radio jingles, movie dialogues, and signature tunes of community radio stations.
On February 12, TRF hosted Radio for Health, a workshop for 43 radio stations from 33 high-burden districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The session aimed to enhance community radio’s role in public health communication and align with flagship health schemes. Dr. V.K. Paul from NITI Aayog emphasized the need for community-driven healthcare messaging and behavioral change. Dr. Urvashi B. Singh from the Central TB Division highlighted the 100-Day TB Awareness Campaign and the role of radio in TB prevention and treatment. Ishi Khosla, a clinical nutritionist, advocated for stronger messaging on nutrition and public health awareness.
The 8th edition of The Radio Festival reinforced radio’s enduring relevance and transformative power in fostering resilient communities, preserving cultural heritage, and driving social change. With thought-provoking discussions, powerful performances, and innovative initiatives, TRF-8 once again demonstrated that radio is not just surviving—it is thriving.
