Goa’s new community radio, Radio Mandovi is handing over the mic to locals. NT BUZZ speaks to the man behind the idea
KALYANI JHA | NT BUZZ
As an economist working in the education space, Ashwin Fernandes’ work often takes him to universities around India and abroad.
It was there that he first observed the power of community radio stations with students and communities involved in spreading the word on different topics of local importance like education, agriculture, etc.
“During COVID-19 especially, the community radio was very popular because it was a means to reach the community,” explains Fernandes, who is the president and founder of PACT Foundation.
In particular, he recalls his visit to Chitkara University in Punjab where he found that they had adopted several villages around their university and were providing them with health advice. “After COVID-19, they began contextualising the global pandemic for a more specific Chandigarh and nearby area. Observing the challenges that the rural people were facing they were giving out information and support on what was available through their community radio,” shares Fernandes.
He went on to research more about community radios and two years later has now launched Radio Mandovi, 88.4 FM, said to be Goa’s first community radio based in Moira (under the PACT Foundation) which is sharing local stories, news, music, and talks by experts.
Speaking on how one can start a community radio, Fernandes says that one either has to be a college, university or a society which has been in operation for at least three years. Once the application is approved from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the equipment is set up, BECIL, a government agency handles the tower set up and training.
Contrary to a commercial radio station, community radio is meant for a smaller location of a smaller region where engagement is with the community. “The purpose is not commercial, it’s not advertising. It’s more to do with involving the community in making the locality a better place be it through sending out information on various programmes, and engaging with housewives and students,” says Fernandes, adding that licences for community radios are usually given to foundations, universities or schools because it should be run
as a non-profit.
Radio Mandovi has started broadcasting three hours a day (5 to 8 p.m.) with involvement from the community in Moira, Aldona, and Mapusa. The eventual plan is to make it a whole day of broadcasting. “We want to look into topics like civic issues, or getting old people to share great stories from the past, etc.” shares Fernandes. One significant element that they are incorporating is also explaining government schemes in minute details to people to increase awareness.
What makes the community radio a good medium, says Fernandes, is that it doesn’t have the distraction of visuals. Plus, the programming is co-curated by people. “It even allows people conscious of coming on camera, to share their story,” he says. The channel is also giving specific shows to people to run themselves, provided the core matter is intended to benefit the community.
Fernandes calls the medium a democratic one. “Even if you don’t have Wi-Fi, it will still work on a battery for example, on transistors,” he says. The shows are done in English, Konkani, and Hindi currently. They are also open to Marathi.
The coverage area for the Radio Mandovi currently is 10 km and Fernandes shares if they get permission, they may start broadcasting it on an app later.
“We’ve got a lot of requests from people outside of India, the Diaspora who are in London, Canada, Africa, saying they also would like to listen in. So we will explore how we do that in future,” says Fernandes, adding that they have also received over 40 inquiries in the last week from people who want to come on the show or curate shows.
The team at Radio Mandovi includes Cordelia Francis, Saanya Naik, Ved Prabhu, and Amelia Ferrao apart from Fernandes. Most of them have never had RJ experience and Fernandes states that it is a learning experience for them too.
The launch of Radio Mandovi was held on the foundation day of the PACT Foundation which witnessed the presence of noted film personalities like Imtiaz Ali, Bhumi Pednekar and Rahul Bose. “Imtiaz has a house in Siolim and Bhumi has her ancestral connections in Goa so they both are deeply connected to Goa. Rahul does a lot of work with tribal kids and when he learnted we work with impacting kids in education through PACT he agreed to be part of the foundation day celebration and the launch,” shares Fernandes.
“Let’s hope that the community radio picks up and people like it,” he adds. “Let’s hope that we can give birth to new musicians and have stories from people who have never been able to tell them before.”
