Community radio can be a powerful tool to promote education,health: Arun Jaitley

Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley has said that India is a land of diversity in terms of language, social practices, dialects and culture and Community radio can be a powerful tool to revive culture and languages that are dying. Inaugurating the 6th National Community Radio Sammelan in New Delhi this morning, Mr Jaitley said, the community radio can also be useful in promoting Health and education. He said, Radio is one of the oldest broadcasting medium and it has to be encourage as it reaches easily to the larger section of the society.

Mr Jaitley said, regional newspapers are not shrinking because news of the region is what keeps them alive and the same pattern applies to the reach of community radios. He said, 191 community radio stations are now working and more than 400 new stations has been permitted. He said, the growth of community radio will be



visible in the next few months.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, Community Radio can play a vital role to empower people and to inform them on government's plans and policies. He said, government is doing everything to promote Community radio across the country.

Addressing the Conference, Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Sunil Arora said, the community radio is a best tool for empowerment, specially the rural community and remote commuters.

The theme of this year's conference is Community Radio in India: Towards Diversity and Sustainability.

The conference will bring together Community Radio Operators, policy makers, Ministries, Departments, International bodies like UNICEF and UNESCO and other stakeholders for exchange of ideas and cross learning.