Bhubaneswar is set to make history with the launch of India's first all-women community radio station, ‘Radio Blue’. The Asia Centre for Development Communication & Research (ACDCR) after receiving licenses from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Department of Telecommunications is spearheading this initiative that will focus on women's issues, rights, and aspirations, serving both urban and rural communities.
Radio Blue will be India's first women-operated station that will promote gender equality in India. It aims to preserve cultural heritage and inform communities about rights by amplifying the voices of the unheard. In line with the radio station, ACDCR is also establishing a Centre of Excellence titled, 'Asia Centre for Community Media' in Konark, with the aim of enhancing Odisha's reputation as a hub for community media excellence. Odisha leads with 42 active radio stations out of 520 community radio stations established in India. These stations have received national and international recognition for their impactful programming and societal contributions.
Speaking on the importance of establishing the first Indian women-operated radio station, Assistant Director of ACDCR, Kajal S, mentioned "We are committed to serving both urban and rural communities, with a particular focus on women. The station will voice the unheard, preserve cultural heritage, and inform communities about their rights and opportunities for growth."
