Paul V Mathew with Community Radio

We are living in an era of knowledge revolution. Knowledge bridges gaps and breaches boundaries. It is true that knowledge only multiplies not reduces while sharing. Community Radio strives to achieve the same - knowledge, technology and wisdom for all. Amid tensions and increased regional rivalries community radio combines people and planet. It's a platform to unite, move and achieve unity in diversity. While encapsulating, Community Radio emerged as the voice of voiceless in a limited span of time.

I have been working with community radio for the last two years. As a person involving with a Community Radio and has relevant experience in community development initiatives, I realize the importance of grass root level intervention and capacity building for rural development. Our country needs to grow further and it requires quality manpower and empowered people. We need a faster, sustainable and inclusive growth. A combined effort and a multidimensional approach can help us to move out from ignorance and corruption. This is a need of this hour which can be implemented only through continuous, intensive, creative and innovative awareness and education programs. When people get access to knowledge democracy will be strengthened and governance will be transparent. Being a responsible citizen I love to facilitate a program which enshrined my dream. I engage with similar initiatives for all these years and find satisfaction through serving my people.

I was working as the project officer of Radio MACFAST 90.4 Thiruvalla and associated with the formation of CR Media Village and DePaul Radio. I have done sessions on the sustainability, social interaction of community Radio in various places. Recently our district collector held a meeting to facilitate CR.  After came across the procedures of CR application, I realized its easiness to apply. The documentation on application procedure is comprehensively and clearly explained in the website. At the same time, it needs expert advices and technical support to complete the procedure. In another side, many of us are not aware about the role of Community Radio in social development and its procedure for application. Along with registration more focus should be given to training and quality support. This may help the institutions to run and mange it properly. While many stations strive to sustain, this efforts can do a large role. Hence I can act as a catalyst/facilitator for Community Radio which shall be capable to spread a little light for those who seek for community development. At last I hope this endeavor will make me to fulfill my mission for my village through a new community radio.