EDITORIAL

A page from history

If Jawaharlal Nehru went to the United Nations Security Council in New York and Lal Bahadur Shastri to Tashkent in the erstwhile Soviet Union P.V. Narasimha Rao lent the distinction to a little-known African country Burkina Faso to figure in the jargon involving Jammu and Kashmir. It was in November of 1995 and Rao as the Prime Minister was keen to hold polls in our State which had been first under the Governor's and then the President's rule after 1990. Before flying out of the national capital on his scheduled foreign trip he had a long meeting with then National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and his senior party colleagues in a bid to woo them to join the electoral fray. However, it was evident that their get-together had ended in a failure. The Rao Government was not prepared to concede the NC's plea for the restoration of the pre-1953 dispensation in the State. On their part, the NC leaders had obviously calculated that they could sell nothing else on their home turf. There was a deadlock. Evidently in a last-minute effort Rao decided to address the nation from Burkina Faso where he had reached by then. One still recalls the excitement that had gripped the national capital as well the State as the official word spread that Rao would speak to the country from alien soil. Within a matter of minutes Burkina Faso was on the lips of everybody. Not only journalists and political leaders but also ordinary citizens sat around their television sets at the fixed hour. Weighing each and every word as was his wont Rao spoke of greater autonomy for the State......more

The week of FIRs

By Arun Nenru

This is the week of 'FIR's as Lalu Yadav, the CEO of Bazee.com and others involved in the 'tape' issue and a senior police officer in Maharashtra are implicated in the bribery case and I don't...more

Is NC following the
'Hurriyat' line ?
TALES OF TRAVESTY

By Dr. Jitendra Singh

Many an eyebrow were raised and there were voices of disagreement in certain quarters .....more

US ignoring history

By Atul Cowshish

By now it looks certain that the US has made up its mind to deliver the next tranche ....more

India-Russia: Old
friendship, new bonds

By V Mohan Narayan

Cutting across the political spectrum, relations between India and Russia have been built on a strong foundation of trust, .....more

Community Radio in India

By Arvinder Kaur

The recent recommendations of the broadcast regulator, the Telecom Regulatory ......more

EDITORIAL

A page from history

If Jawaharlal Nehru went to the United Nations Security Council in New York and Lal Bahadur Shastri to Tashkent in the erstwhile Soviet Union P.V. Narasimha Rao lent the distinction to a little-known African country Burkina Faso to figure in the jargon involving Jammu and Kashmir. It was in November of 1995 and Rao as the Prime Minister was keen to hold polls in our State which had been first under the Governor's and then the President's rule after 1990. Before flying out of the national capital on his scheduled foreign trip he had a long meeting with then National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and his senior party colleagues in a bid to woo them to join the electoral fray. However, it was evident that their get-together had ended in a failure. The Rao Government was not prepared to concede the NC's plea for the restoration of the pre-1953 dispensation in the State. On their part, the NC leaders had obviously calculated that they could sell nothing else on their home turf. There was a deadlock. Evidently in a last-minute effort Rao decided to address the nation from Burkina Faso where he had reached by then. One still recalls the excitement that had gripped the national capital as well the State as the official word spread that Rao would speak to the country from alien soil. Within a matter of minutes Burkina Faso was on the lips of everybody. Not only journalists and political leaders but also ordinary citizens sat around their television sets at the fixed hour. Weighing each and every word as was his wont Rao spoke of greater autonomy for the State but within the parameters of the Indian Constitution and based on the 1975 accord between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah that had paved the way for the latter's return to the national mainstream. In real terms, he announced only one concession that the State's Chief Minister could be called Wazir-e-Azam and the Governor as Sadar-e-Riyasat should the State Legislature so decide after the polls for which the Election Commission, he said, would soon announce the dates. In a way he signalled that he was ready for a return to the pre-G.M.Sadiq years when the elected head of J&K was addressed as the Prime Minister and the Governor as Sadar-e-Riyasat. This also meant a departure from the Indira-Sheikh accord that had left a decision on nomenclatures open to the extent that it was not even mentioned by Sheikh Abdullah in the years to follow.

Rao's move did not work at all. The NC was not convinced although, intriguingly, when later it plunged into the elections it did so without laying down any condition. What comes out, however, loud and clear from the Burkina Faso incident is Rao's tenacity of purpose. He is no more but one will always remember his endless capacity for debate and dialogue. Not every time he had succeeded. If his distant but well-meaning Burkina Faso speech did not have an immediate impact in this State his cautious approach had come a cropper in the event of the disputed structure in Ayodhya as well. He was a remarkably cool politician. There would be no exaggeration if it were said that he was an emblem of the strength of democracy in the country. He submitted himself to the majesty of the judiciary as a normal person thus setting an example worth emulating by many of his ilk. His term as the Prime Minister constitutes an important page of our democratic evolution from which the budding politicians can learn a lot.

The week of FIRs

By Arun Nenru

This is the week of 'FIR's as Lalu Yadav, the CEO of Bazee.com and others involved in the 'tape' issue and a senior police officer in Maharashtra are implicated in the bribery case and I don't really know or can predict what will happen in all these cases in the distant future! We have television footage of Lalu Yadav in the 'Robin Hood' mode distributing cash as elections approach in Bihar and whilst the EC orders a 'FIR' against him for violating the election code, his allies in Bihar [CPI[M],CPI] dependant on him for a few seats spring to his defense and Lalu Yadav who has had brushes with the EC from 1996=1999 and again in 2004 looks unrepentant and after all everyone is innocent unless proved guilty and does anyone seriously believe that the 'FIR' has any implications for the future? I wonder what has happened to the Lalji Tandon birthday affair when gifts were distributed and a 'FIR' was filed against him. The TV channels have their scoop = Lalu Yadav provides non stop entertainment and he knows and understands the system and clearly his 'numbers' in the Lok Sabha and his caste and secular combinations of the Yadav/Muslim vote and official power in the lower bureaucracy assists in ruling Bihar and there is little anyone can do moment to curb his 'actions'. The EC order elections in three phases and do what they can and before long we will see what the system can do as Lalu Yadav cannot change his tactics and as things stand the political challenge from the BJP/JD[U] is muted , the LJP is silent and the Congress cannot impose their thinking or flex their muscles as the UPA government survives on Lalu Yadav and the RJD. Very easy to pass 'strictures' on Lalu Yadav and his brand of politics but give him his due as a 'political' leader and his understanding of the system. Political challenges come from political forces and do not come from either the Judiciary or other Constitutional bodies who can at best provide 'checks' and 'balances'. Lalu Yadav was indicted and resigned and Rabri Devi took over as CM, several cases pending against him in the Supreme Court and the High Court, several strictures passed but the RJD supreme leader continues in his usual manner = the BJP/JD[U] had their opportunity in 1999 but did not deliver despite a dozen ministers and the Congress is kept in 'chains' with limited numbers in the state = Ram Vilas is no challenge alone and he cannot give up his 'economic' ministries at the Center for his 'value based' politics and Lalu Yadav knows this and will continue with his efforts for another term and a record two decades in office. The situation in the state in terms of economic development and law and order is a different matter but is anyone at the political level concerned about this at the National level. The politics of the Bihar Assembly has come to New Delhi and this is a reality. Lalu Yadav is no different from any other political leader looking for political longevity and he does openly what many a leader does on the quiet = concern for the poorest of the poor, weaker sections and caste and religious factors are all relevant for building a political constituency and in the past fifty years think and see if you can identify political leaders who have placed national interests before their own 'political aspirations'.

Elections in Jharkhand will be a one sided affair and of the 81 seats I cannot see the BJP/JD[U] getting anything above 20 seats. The last Assembly election itself was a marginal affair in 1999 and the Lok Sabha trends of 2004 will persist as the Congress/JMM combination swept the polls. The real tussle will be the seat battle between the Congress/JMM with the RJD in the background and clearly Shibu Soren wants to be CM and he like anyone else can and will do anything to achieve his objective and I think the Congress to sustain the Central coalition must apply the J&K formula for survival = I believe Maharashtra was a mistake as was Karnataka where the NCP and the JD[S] hold the key but the Congress insisted on the CM's chair. Survival of coalitions are based on power and asset sharing and Jharkhand will be another test of the system. The situation in Haryana is very different and the Lok Sabha trend of 9 out of 10 seats for the Congress will continue and the BJP wisely distance themselves from the INLD who will head for a total drubbing. The major problem here will be the internal battle for the CM's chair and there will be several aspirants. Bhajan Lal will be there but is getting on in years, the charismatic Bhupinder Singh Hooda will pose a serious challenge as will Virender Singh. Bansi Lal and the HVP will also ask for their share of the spoils but their influence is limited and I would be very surprised if the Congress does not win in excess of two thirds of the vote.

As I have mentioned before there may be few surprises in Bihar where the RJD will win, Haryana the Congress will sweep and in Jharkhand it will be the JMM/Congress = there will be off course the usual victory and defeat syndromes to tackle and before long the focus of attention will shift to the state elections in 2006 in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala. The period in between may be taken up by unfinished political business in UP and can anyone predict that events in 2005-06 may result in 'changes' in Maharashtra and Karnataka. My theory is that effective 'coalition' must result in effective power sharing and asset distribution and you cannot have the same party at the Center and in the States without confrontation at some stage = no coalition in the past was ever threatened by numbers but survived or perished by the principal of power sharing or lack of it in practice. The ideology of numbers prevails and can you have a better example than Bihar and Lalu Yadav and can anyone rule out Pappu Yadav in the future = not easy to win a Lok Sabha election from jail.

Is NC following the 'Hurriyat' line ?
TALES OF TRAVESTY

By Dr. Jitendra Singh

Many an eyebrow were raised and there were voices of disagreement in certain quarters particularly in the National Conference circles when a few years ago this columnist wrote in these very columns that, for an average Kashmiri politician, ''separatism'' or ''secession'' was less of an ideology and more of a political slogan and that generally most of these worthies were ready to swear by the constitution of India and hail Kashmir as an integral part of India as soon as they assumed power and sat on ministerial berths but the same politicians, when thrown out of power, begin overnight questioning the accession of Kashmir to India and start harping on separatist or semi-separatist themes ranging from ''Azaadi'' to ''autonomy''.

When the earlier article mentioned above appeared in the Press, the then ruling National Conference front liners did not like it..... for obvious reasons.....because they were then in power and also enjoying patronage from the BJP led Central Government. Farooq, the Senior Abdullah, was comfortably placed in chief minister's saddle and Omar, the junior one, was getting his pound of flesh as a union Minister. Both of them..... the father and the son... were at that time highly critical of the separatist leaders particularly those belonging to the Hurriyat. While the father threatened to throw them into the Dal lake, the son dismissed them as inconsequential and devoid of any mass following. But, today, see...what is happening? What was written in these columns earlier finds vindication today through the same gentlemen who had denounced it before.

Soon after the National Conference lost power, some of its senior leaders had gone on record to state that Sheikh Abdullah should not have entered into an accord with Delhi in 1975 and that the Chhattisinghpura massace of Sikhs in Kashmir was carried out by the security forces. It is a different thing, though, that the realisation of 1975 ''folly'' had dawned on the National Conference leadership only after being thrown out of power and that the Chattisinghpura carnage had taken place when Farooq was in power in the State but his government had failed to make any such complaint to the Centre.

Going one step further today, the National Conference leaders find nothing wrong in sharing platform with the Hurriyat leadership and are even prepared to consider the Hurriyat proposals for a joint political strategy in the Valley politics. It is now for the National Conference spokesmen to explain to the electorate whether the NC's changing stance is inspired by any ideological reasons or prompted by sheer political expediency? If indeed it is sheer political expediency, then it only vindicates this columnist's long-standing opinion that Kashmir's politicians and political parties tend to turn separatist or semi-separatist when thrown out of power but overnight again turn ''nationalist'' when installed to power. It is sad that even the NC, notwithstanding its high moral declarations, could not rise above the malaise of opportunism plaguing the Kashmir politics.

Mercifully, however, the electorate is growing wiser with each passing day. The common man may be a victim of deprivation and neglect but he has learnt to see through the chicanry of political imposters and to punish them through the ballot box. Poet Kaifi Azmi speaks for Umapathy ''Agar Doobna Hi Hamaari Kismat Hai To Zaroor Doobenge, Magar Lekar Rahnuma Ko Saath....''

US ignoring history

By Atul Cowshish

By now it looks certain that the US has made up its mind to deliver the next tranche of sophisticated arms to its old client state in the sub-continent, Pakistan, brushing aside lightly the Indian concerns and trampling upon the nascent efforts at lasting goodwill in the Indo-US relationship.

Ambassador David Mulford, is only insulting this country when he dismisses India's opposition to the transfer of American arms to Pakistan with the gratuitous offer of selling to India the same weapons as Pakistan would receive - almost gratis-from Washington.

Does the ambassador realise that his 'offer' will translate into an armed race in the sub-continent and the next step from there would be a rise in temperatures in the two countries? The impatient and petulant general who rules in Islamabad has already threatened more than once that he would call off the 'peace process' as it is not going the way he wanted it.

The ambassador's 'offer' is symptomatic of the cavalier manner in which the US has been treating Indian concerns over the past five decades. The end of the Cold War has obviously not brought about any basic change in the US attitude, though it has to be admitted that some people in this country are thrilled with the so-called 'strategic partnership' that is said to be developing between New Delhi and Washington.

After elevating Pakistan, despite its confirmed proliferation record and lukewarm support to the campaign to eliminate all terrorists on its soil, to the status of a major non-NATO ally, the US has placed its massive inventory of weapons at the disposal of Islamabad with the unspoken aim of 'balancing' its military strength with India's.

Indeed, the American effort has always been to match the Pakistani fire power with India's, regardless of the fact that India has an enormously large border area to defend and has two neighbours, both nuclear armed, which have not only at various times attacked India but have advanced claims on Indian territories. The depth of Pakistan's arms requirement cannot be the same as India's. But Washington practices a pernicious policy of treating these requirements at par as it helps further the American desire to keep India subdued.

In the 1950s and 1960s, when the US and Pakistan were bound by 'defence' treaties like CENTO an SEATO, the US had found a perfect alibi to constantly arm Pakistan with its latest weapons. In the 1965 war, Pakistan with its squadrons of late US aircrafts had a vastly superior air power than India's. In the 1971 war, Nixon had ordered his seventh fleet to move towards Indian east coast.

India's protest against such unfriendly, if not hostile, moves were never entertained seriously as the standard US answer is that the (US) arms are not meant to be used against India. The American arms are always supplied or gifted for a 'good' cause such as containing Communism or eliminating a dictator who does not kowtow to the Americans. Of Course, the whole world knows that the American arms are used against India, not once but in all the three wars that Pakistan had launched against India.

After entering into 'defence' treaties with the US began to hurt it's mounting ambitions in the international arena, Pakistan had to spend some of its hard cash to buy the American arms. Soon a fresh opportunity arose in the shape of Soviet 'occupation' of Afghanistan and the US decision to use Pakistan as its launching pad for a guerrilla war against the Red presence in Afghanistan.

This was a 'double blessing' for Islamabad. It provided it an excuse to openly train the cadres of terrorists for 'duty' in Kashmir and also receive massive American arms in the name of fighting the 'satanic' forces in Afghanistan. Some $2 billion worth of arms reached Pakistan. And, of course, White House and the Pentagon took no notice of Indian protests.

The tit-for-tat nuclear tests by India and Pakistan led to US sanctions against the two countries. Most of these sanctions have been lifted by now but the point here is that the subsequent unearthing of Pakistan's nuclear black market has brought more rewards in cash and kind from American to Pakistan, instead of any punitive action. Laws that would have stood in the way of supply of US arms to Pakistan have been waived while certain Indian nuclear entities are still on the US sanctions list.

About a year back, the US had announced a $300 million worth of military aid package for Pakistan to fight 'terrorism'. It is instructive that Pakistan was among a host of other countries that were to be blessed with American weapons to fight 'terrorism' but India was not among them. Besides, Pakistan has been given a virtual blank cheque to seek supply of any modern weapon from the US in the name of fighting 'terrorism'. This might have been less objectionable had the US also declared that it would examine if the Pakistani requests actually related to the task for which they were sought.

Is Pakistan shopping for F-16s and surveillance aircrafts and anti-submarine missiles, among other things, to hunt terrorists who are hiding either in the hills of its tribal areas or well-protected sanctuaries in the teeming cities?

No. The aim is to exceed the Indian military power in tune with its own aggressive designs. The Americans act as an accomplice in the design.

The US envoy in India shows his extreme ignorance of bilateral and trilateral relations when he says that the transfer of US arms to Pakistan will have no bearing on either Indo-US relations or the on-going 'peace process' between India and Pakistan. His 'praise' for India as a rising world power should not flatter anyone in this country because if the Americans really so believed, they would have not tried to 'balance' the fire powers of India and Pakistan.

The pro-American lobby and the five-star seminar circuit might have fooled him into believing otherwise, the fact is that most Indians are rather suspicious of US intentions. Recent visits by US officials have not helped remove that impression. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who had met his US counterpart in Delhi only days ago, hinted at this clearly when he warned the US of damaging Indo-US ties by transferring its latest arsenal to Pakistan.

It is with the tacit understanding that the US would continue to 'balance' the two countries that Islamabad starts to bark the moment Indian decides to buy new weapons or modernise its military while Indian objections to Pakistan's frequent replenishing of its arms inventory is dubbed in Islamabad by the monotonous cry of 'Indian paranoia.'

The dim witted who talks of 'Indian paranoia' are also in the habit of spending sleepless nights with the thought of an imaginary 'Indian hegemony'.

Perhaps, the decision makers in the US think that the sound of latest American war 'toys' is a good cure for this Pakistani insomnia.

(Syndicate Features)

India-Russia: Old friendship, new bonds

By V Mohan Narayan

Cutting across the political spectrum, relations between India and Russia have been built on a strong foundation of trust, mutual understanding and continuity.

As two of the largest democracies in the world, both are deeply committed to the establishment of a more democratic world order, based on a multi-polar world, which takes into account the major changes that have taken place in the international political landscape over the past few decades.

The two countries are well aware that their strategic partnership serves long-term interests, strengthens bilateral relations and contributes to international peace and security.

The time-tested relationship has withstood the challenge of a changing global and regional environment. President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to India provided the two countries an opportunity to take forward these relations to a much high level.

It was significant in many aspects. Though the two countries have decided to hold annual summits in respective capitals alternately, this was the first visit by Putin to India after the new United Progressive Alliance Government assumed office.

New Delhi regards Russia as a major and influential actor of the international community, and as a countrywhose voice commands respect and attention on issues of global concern.

Both sides share concerns over threats posed by global terrorism in all its forms and manifestations to international peace and security. Moscow strongly endorses New Delhi's stand that there can be no justification for terrorism on any grounds, including ideological, religious, racial or ethnic.

Unlike some western countries which are accused of adopting double standards in the fight against this scourge, Russia feels that selective approaches and political expediency should be avoided at all costs.

With the recent targeting of open societies around the world, the two countries have reasons to be concerned about the vulnerability of democracies to terrorist attacks. They have decided to cooperate with each other in counter-terrorism efforts.

Another area of key concern has been the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), their means of delivery and the risk of their falling into the hands of terrorists. The two sides have highlighted the need to prevent terrorists or those who harbour them from acquiring or developing WMDs and address this threat on a national basis as well as through forward looking multilateral long term efforts by all partners against proliferation with the central role of the United Nations.

Continuing violence in Iraq has been a source of worry to both countries. Both underline the importance of an intra-Iraqi dialogue aimed at building national consensus on a new constitution and on restoring stability and security in the country. They have advocated strict compliance of UN Security Council resolution 1546, particularly with regard to the interim timetable of political process stipulated by it with a view to facilitating the formation of a new, democratic Iraq.

In unambiguous terms, they have affirmed their continuing interest in contributing to the reconstruction efforts in Iraq and have called for a wider degree of international consultation in the ongoing peace efforts. They have also emphasised that it would be in the interest of the international community to restore the efficacy of multilateral approaches in addressing the situation in the war-ravaged country.

Restoration of political stability in Iraq is of direct concern to India, which depends upon this region for a substantial part of its energy supplies and also because 3.5 million of its citizens live work in that region.

The recent Presidential election in Afghanistan was lauded by both sides while underscoring the importance of efforts at national reconciliation and unity. All eyes are now on smooth conduct of parliamentary election slated to be held in April-May next year.

The two countries have extended support for a strong, united, sovereign and independent Afghanistan and sought empowering the Central Authority with indigenous security institutions.

A perturbing issue has been the sharp increase in the cultivation, production and trafficking of narcotic drugs in Afghanistan. Security agencies see a close nexus between drug trafficking and terrorist activities. During the talks, New Delhi and Moscow agreed on the need for effective steps to counteract the drug and terrorist threats.

Facing new challenges in the 21 century, they felt that pragmatic way to address them is through multilateral approaches based on the widest possible international support.

Putin's remarks at a joint press interaction after talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding veto rights to India as a permanent member of an enlarged UN Security Council created a flutter in media circles.

The simultaneous translation in English of Putin responses in Russian to media queries seemed to suggest that while Moscow bcked India's candidature as a permanent member of the Security Council, he was against veto powers to new members.

On being told about the headlines to this effect the next day in Indian newspapers and electronic media, Putin made it a point to clear the air contending that Russia support to both India's candidature as well as veto right to it as enjoyed by the existing permanent five (P-5) members.

Energy constitutes a crucial part of the bilateral relationship. Will aware of the growing energy requirements in this country, special focus was on employing resources that are environment-friendly and available in sufficient quantities.

Determined to continue their cooperation in nuclear energy, they agreed that it should incorporate innovative technologies to ensure energy security. They recognised the considerable scope for cooperation in the hypro-electric and thermal power sectors.

Russia is a major exporter of oil and natural gas and India is emerging as a large consumer. The two sides have agreed to cooperative in development of new oil and gas fields and the means of their transportation.

Having the world's largest gas reserves estimated to be 47 trillion cubic meters and the eighth larges oil reserves estimated to be 69.1 billion barrels, Russia realises the immense potential for imported gas in India.

Interestingly, the two countries noted with satisfaction that trilateral meetings at foreign ministers' level have been taking place regularly. They favoured progressive increase in the trilateral cooperation, which could also result in social and economic development among the three countries.

Reflecting the new momentum in bilateral ties, India has acceded to a long pending demand for supporting its earliest possible accession to the World Trade Organisation.

Indo-Russian ties are now poised to attain greater heights. The potential for stepping up cooperation in diversified areas is immense. A declaratory phase has given way to concrete steps. There was a lot to read in between the lines when Putin told Singh when they shake hands, the world will watch. PTI Feature

Community Radio in India

By Arvinder Kaur

The recent recommendations of the broadcast regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), on Community Radio Stations in India are bound to open up a whole new world of community broadcasting in far-flung areas all across the country. Like teleconferencing, the listeners would be able to talk to each other through the radio network using small wireless sets.

According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy, Community Radio has socio-economic and cultural relevance as it caters to the information and entertainment needs of small communities and the programmes have local flavour.

There was scope for setting up 4,000 community radio stations in the country, the minister recently said.

As of November 23, 2004, the Government had received 60 applications for setting up Community Radios, of which 38 had been sent to other ministries concerned for clearance, he said. Letters of intent had been signed in 26 cases and licence agreements signed in 10 cases.

Thus to increase the scope of community radio stations in India, TRAI has recommended lifting the restrictions on coverage of news and current affairs and allowing commercial advertising, apart from making the venture free of any licence fee.

TRAI has also extended the scope of the eligibility, saying any legal entity, including individuals, can be eligible for grant of a community radio licence though making it clear that banned organisations and their members should be disqualified.

It also sought to simplify and make fast the process of granting licence for community radios and instead of several steps earlier, it said applications should be filed directly with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which would in turn refer them to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

TRAI said the Ministry of Home Affairs should give its recommendations/clearance within the three months from the last date of filing of applications. It also recommended a licence period of five years with a provision for revocations of the licence by the Government.

The Government had in December 2002, decided to open up the Community Radio Broadcasting sector and announced a new policy which envisaged granting licences to educational institutions recognised by the Central Government or the State Government.

However, currently there are four active radio initiatives in India: China Chala Ho Gaon Mein in Palamau, Jharkhand; Kunjal Panchhi Kutch Ji in Kutch; Namma Dhwani in Budhikote, Karnataka and the Deccan Development Society Initiative in Pastapur, Andhra Pradesh.

The communities that produce these radio programmes cablecast, narrowcast to buy time from the AIR Local Radio stations.

Community Radio serves to bring small groups together through their own participation to reflect their day-to-day concerns. The community participates by creating contents of the programmes for its own people. This narrow broadcasting does not require big transmitters.

In a Community Radio service, the programmes generally focus on the issues relating to education, health, environment, agriculture and rural and community development. Its basic rationale is freedom of expression.

It provides a platform for students and teachers to give expression to their creative talent in producing programmes and in socio-cultural cohesion of the masses at the local level. The locals are bound to immensely benefit from community radio because of its interactive nature and low costs of broadcasting.

Communication experts say the power of Community Radio as a tool of social change is immense in a country, which has large number of poor and illiterate people besides a daunting diversity of languages and cultures.

According to Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, the aim of every Community Radio should be to create awareness among local communities in various fields.

They can empower the people, nurture local knowledge and are committed to human rights, values, social justice and is a must for socio-economic development, Barnala last week told an international workshop on Community Radio in Channai.

The right of citizens to express the kind of society they want to live in is a fundamental part of an alternative vision of development. This vision could be attained by the democratic participation enabled by the Community Radio, he said.

However, as of today India is much behind its other neighbours as far as the development of the Community Radio is concerned. It was in 1995 that the Supreme Court declared airwaves to be a public property and only in December 2002 that the Government decided to open up the Community Radio Broadcasting sector.

Till then, Radio was the monopoly of AIR (All India Radio) - the public service broadcaster. But in the last four years, the country has moved from having only a single broadcaster to a new four tier system which allows for public, private, education and community broadcasting.

Nepal launched South Asia's first Community Radio in 1995 and today has at least five independent stations across the country that address people's complaints and act as hubs of information in times of strife.

In Sri Lanka, Kothmale Radio has been working for last 14 years. Last year, the Government even issued a broadcasting licence to the formerly clandestine radio station run by the Tamil tiger rebels.

Community Radio is a medium that not only the Indians or South Asians use as a source of information but rather a global phenomenon. All around the world people decide to the voluntarily active in producing radio programmes according to their individual needs.

The Milan Declaration on Communication and Humans Rights, 1998 calls for international recognition of the community broadcast sector as an essential public service and an important contributor to media pluralism and freedom of expression and information.

A Community Radio Station is thus a radio service by the people, close to the people and for the people. It provides a forum for local cultural expression, enhances artistic and intellectual culture and showcases local talent. Besides acting as a catalyst for change, it serves as a watchdog on civic authorities, power holders, providing a forum for active relationship between leaders and citizens.

However, in India radio is one of the most popular and affordable means of mass communication mainly due to its large coverage, mobility and low cost with appropriate strategies, radio can be a vehicle of social change particularly for the rural, sparsely populated and remote corners of the country.

It can thus change the behaviour of its communities for the good. Research in South Africa has shown that effective educational radio programmes can change listener's behaviour and lead to the growth of knowledge in the community. (PTI Feature)



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