Guest Lecture on Community Radio and Grassroots Development Organised at Subharti University
The Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Subharti Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut organised a guest lecture on the topic ‘Community Radio and Grassroots Development’ at the university’s Conference Hall on March 7, 2026. The programme aimed to familiarise students with the role of community radio in empowering local communities and promoting inclusive development.
The lecture was conducted under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Ritesh Chaudhary, Head of the Department, who encouraged students to explore the potential of community media as a tool for social change and participatory communication.
The resource person for the session was Dr. Sadhana Srivastava, Assistant Professor at Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), Prayagraj. Addressing the students and faculty members, Dr. Srivastava delivered an insightful and interactive lecture highlighting the importance of community radio in strengthening grassroots communication.
During the session, she explained the meaning and development of community radio, tracing its growth as an effective medium for community participation and local expression. She emphasised that community radio stations serve as a platform for marginalized voices and help address local issues such as education, health, agriculture, and women’s empowerment.
Dr. Srivastava also discussed the career opportunities and challenges in community radio, encouraging students to consider it as a promising field within media and communication. She highlighted the various roles available, including radio jockey (RJ), programme producer, script writer, and community mobiliser.
Providing practical guidance, she explained how aspiring media professionals can become successful community radio RJs and programme producers by developing communication skills, understanding local culture, and engaging directly with community members.
Further, Dr. Srivastava elaborated on how community radio contributes to grassroots development by spreading awareness, sharing local knowledge, and promoting participatory dialogue. She cited several examples of community radio initiatives that have positively impacted rural and semi-urban communities across India.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Tarun Jain, who expressed gratitude to the guest speaker and participants for making the session informative and inspiring.
Event coordinator was Dr. Santosh Kumar Gautam, who ensured the smooth conduct of the session and encouraged active participation from students. Faculty members and students of the department attended the lecture with great enthusiasm and interacted with the resource person through questions and discussions.
