Kudumbashree to start community radio service

Malappuram: Stepping into the broadcasting sector, Kudumbashree Mission will start community radio channel in Malappuram soon. The radio channel would be first of its kind under Kudumbashree in the state. Officials from the ministry of information and broadcasting have conducted inspection at the proposed site for the radio station at Panakkad near Malappuram town. The team has submitted a proposal regarding the construction of studio to the state Kudumbashree Mission. The mission has already approached the ministry for the licence to start the radio broadcasting, said C K Hemalatha, district coordinator of Kudumbashree Mission.

“As it will take time to complete the procedures to receive broadcasting licence, we are planning to launch internet radio service in May and it would be converted to normal radio service, after receiving the licence,” she said. The studio for radio station would be set up in a building owned by Kudumbashree at Inkel campus in Panakkad.“Earlier, we had a de-fibering unit at the building and it was closed down later. We will carry out renovation works in the building to arrange a modernized studio there. Officials who conducted visit at the proposed site have expressed satisfaction and the renovation works will be carried out as per the project design to be submitted by the officials of the broadcasting ministry,” said Hemalatha.

Kudumbashree is mainly aiming to broadcast programmes related to Kudumbashree initiatives, including success stories and announcements. Farm-related programmes and live programmes on developmental initiatives in rural areas would be the highlights. The radio stations would function under the district mission coordinator. Block coordinators of Kudumbashree would also oversee the programmes. “The mission is planning to appoint selected Kudumbashree workers as staff and they would be given special training in broadcasting,” said the mission coordinator.