Community radio stations to empower people in five disaster prone districts in Uttarakhand

27 May 2016 || The Times of India

"In order to reach out to local community within minimum time span during and after a disaster, a Bangalore based organization "People Power Collective", with the help of disaster management department, is going to set up five community radio stations in remote areas of disaster prone districts in Uttarakhand.

Post 2013 Kedarnath natural disaster, People Power Collective, which is a charitable public trust, had established a community radio station—Mandakini ki Awaaz—which began its operations from Sena Gadsari village in Rudraprayag district in year 2014.

..Significantly, the organization has shortlisted Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Almora districts, all hilly and disaster prone districts, for setting up community radio stations. Once the MOU is signed, People Power Collective is going to carry out a survey in five districts for identifying the villages where finally radio stations would come up in collaboration with local NGO's.

Saritha Thomas, founder of People Power Collective, told TOI, "Community radio station Mandakini Ki Awaz, which is operational at Rudraprayag, played a very important role in sharing timely information during forest fires that raged the state of Uttarakhad earlier this month. We would be tying up with five community organizations in disaster affected districts for setting up radio stations. My organization will be involved in capacity building of local people for ensuring sustainable operation of radio stations."