Sometimes, great initiatives come from small places. This is one such example. In a
small village in Telangana, something very big is happening. In the village of Machnoor, about 115 kilometers from Hyderabad, a group of women — most of them Dalits and farmers — are doing something very powerful. But what? They are running India’s first rural community radio station that is fully managed by women. This is Sangham Radio.
Two strong and inspiring women, Masanagari Narsamma and Algole Narsamma, are at
the heart of this change. Along with their team, they broadcast news, songs, farming
tips, health advice and important discussions to more than 40 villages around them.
They do this in their local language, a mix of Telugu and other regional dialects, which
makes it easy for the people to connect and understand.
Let’s know how this small radio station is making a big impact.
Sangham Radio started in 2008, but the idea was born much earlier. In the 1990s, the
Deccan Development Society (DDS), a non-profit working with women farmers, trained
local women in communication and media. These women were from small villages and
most had never even used a microphone before. But they were determined to tell their
own stories.
For many years, they continued the same they recorded their shows on tape and
shared them using loudspeakers. Is this something truly amazing? Working without license was one of the concern for them. They didn’t have a proper broadcasting license. But in 2008, their hard work finally paid off — they got a license
and became an official community radio station on 90.4 FM.
What They Broadcast?
Every day, the women at Sangham Radio create programs that matter to their
community. These include:
- Traditional Songs and Stories: They record songs from village elders and share folk stories, keeping the culture alive for future generations.
- Farming Tips: Since many listeners are farmers, the radio shares advice on when to plant crops, how to protect seeds and how to use natural pest control.
- Health Advice: They talk about simple health practices — how to stay clean, how to eat healthy, and even how to take care of menstrual hygiene. They also share tips on using local herbs and natural remedies.
- Women’s Rights and Legal Help: They invite experts to talk about laws that protect women from violence and discrimination. Even Many women have found the courage to speak up and ask for help after listening to these programs.
- Community News: Lost a goat or a cow? Call Sangham Radio. They announce it on air, and many animals have been returned to their owners because of this.
Here is what makes Sangham Radio so special?
It gives power to ordinary people — especially women. In many rural areas, women do
not have a voice. They are told to stay quiet, follow rules, and not ask questions. But
here, women are the ones asking questions, reporting stories and running the entire
station. One of the anchors, Masanagari Narsamma, is called “General” by her team because of her leadership and energy. She not only reads the news but also climbs up towers to fix wires, records interviews, and teaches others how to use the equipment.
Every success comes with number of challenges. In the beginning, people laughed at
them. They were told women couldn’t run a radio station. But they didn’t stop.
Keeping the Culture Alive
Many young people today are busy with smartphones and don’t know much about their
own traditions. Sangham Radio is trying to change that.
They also encourage young girls to sing and take part in storytelling so that their culture
doesn’t disappear.
Struggles and Strength
Running a radio station is not easy, especially when you don’t have enough money. For
many years, Sangham Radio ran on a small monthly budget —around ₹15,000–20,000.
They did not have modern equipment and many times, they repaired things themselves. At one point, the station was about to close down because of lack of funds. But people in the villages came together and supported them through donations.
Why Sangham Radio Matters?
Sangham Radio is not just a radio station. It is a movement. They hope that more
people — especially from cities — will support their work by spreading the word,
donating, or simply listening.
In a world where only a few voices are heard, Sangham Radio is proof that change can
start from the smallest places. From a tiny studio in a rural village, these women are
creating waves of change that are felt far and wide.
Related Articles
Leave a Reply