The winners of the 10th National Community Radio Award were announced by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on 25 July 2024. The minister also inaugurated the country’s 500th Community Radio Station. The chief minister of Mizoram Lalduhoma was also present on the occasion.
The 500th Community Radio in the country has been set up at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication(IIMC) in Aizawl, Mizoram. The Apna Radio 90.0 FM will disseminate information about daily weather updates, government schemes and agriculture-related information in an agrarian state.
Community Radio differs from public service radio broadcasting, including All India Radio and Commercial Radio. Community Radios are low-power Radios set up and operated by the local communities in local languages on issues concerning the local populations, such as nutrition, health, etc.
The government of India has allowed the setting up of Community Radio by educational institutions, community-based organisations, registered societies, trusts etc.
Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced the winners of the 10th National Community Award.
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting set up the National Community Award in 2011-12.
The award is given in four categories, and winners are awarded a cash prize of Rs one lakh for the first prize, Rs seventy-five thousand for the second prize and Rs fifty thousand for the third prize winner in each category.