Give people a voice

Setting up “Community Radio- Mann Deshi Tarang” was path breaking in Mann deshi’s history. Mann Deshi tarang gave an opportunity to run the fm radio. This is the first radio which is run by women in rural India. When any activity comes to women people would talk about Kapad and Papad but Mann deshi has always innovated different road Map. The Mann Deshi Group has been able to reach more than 1,70,000 households. With many women demanding information necessary to improve their lives, it is the perfect time for Manndeshi Foundation to begin media activity through Mann Deshi Trang, the Community Radio Station. Main aim of the Radio Station is to become an effective medium for the people to share views, showcase talent, gain knowledge and increase awareness ensure overall social; economic and cultural growth of the area. Radio provides special entertainment to the community through drama and storytelling. The community feels that the storytelling is the most important way to communicate with children and radio programmes can contribute immensely in children’s overall growth and development. The radio station broadcasts programs by involving the local community, which not only takes care of the needs of the community but provides a platform to the local community to express their artistic talent too. It is a community radio by the people, for the people and of the people of Mhaswad and surrounding areas. Last month Manndeshi did impact assessment of radio and found impressive results such as- • 73% found Mandeshi Tarang has proved to be useful to them in their life by increasing their knowledge; enabling them to showcase their talent and motivating them. • 85% of the women interviewed said that they are now aware of the Manndeshi Bank’s services because of the radio. To quote 44 year old Hindu-Koshti women: “Because of the radio station women become more intelligent because they increase their knowledge. Through the radio programs women get to learn about their rights and laws for women. They become more educated and therefore more independent.”

Mann deshi Tarang Radio provides women a platform to display their traditional skills like folk songs and poetries. Young kids also get an opportunity to display their skill on radio. Farmers of Mann deshi also gets an opportunity to get the update information on farming, marketing and technology in agriculture. Since last two years in the remote areas of Mann and Khatao, one can hear voices of women in corners of the villages of Man and Khatao. Today radio is relayed in three times a day where programs for women, farmer’s, students are relayed. There are cultural programs and competition where students can participate and get the awards for their skills. Health programs are relayed to increase the awareness of rural population. Especially the issues like killing of female fetus and welcome campaign for birth of girl child. Radio also announces information like water supply in the area safe drinking water, effective usage of electricity. As the radio is in drought area radio also conduct many program of water and the efficient use of water in Agriculture.

Manndeshi Tarang also gives opportunity to the local indigenous groups to take the voice of the community to the community - for e.g. the performers recite poems & poetry written by local saints and poets, perform musical programs which gives thrust to local music and local songs.

We also broadcast success stories of people in surrounding areas, information about local events, and information about availability of opportunity for local microenterprises to advertise through radio.

Manndeshi Tarang encourages direct involvement of the people of the community in the operation of the station and the preparation of the programmes for broadcasting.