C3 for Proposed Model Indian Village

           I woke up from the bed hearing the SMS tone on my mobile. “Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge… At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom- Nehru”- the SMS read. It was 15^th August this year. I eagerly waited for the speech of the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi from the historic Red Fort, who has a penchant for change. I listened to his entire speech for 65 minutes. Apart from his encouraging words, I found two areas, which can bring about change in the societal architecture of the rural India. The first is his concept of ‘Digital India’ and the second is ‘Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana’ (Parliamentarian Model Village Scheme). I tried to co-relate both the concepts and my idea on C3, i.e. Community Communication Centre.

   Mr. Modi’s dream of a Digital India in his speech is, “Digital India is plan not for the benefit of the rich……Digital India is a dream for the poor, with broadband connectivity”, by which, “we can ensure long-distance education” etc. etc. His scheme for model village goes like this- "One village for a constituency should be developed on the model grounds... If we have to build the nation we have to start from the villages." He also added, "If each MP (Member of Parliament) decides to develop three villages over five years, so many villages in the country would have seen progress." Mr. Modi’s vision is to develop 790 model villages by 2016, provided the Rajya Sabha MPs are also given the option to choose a village for development.

         On the basis of infrastructural development including surface communication, provision for basic requirements like education, health care, energy, sanitation, nutritious foods, which upgrade the livelihood and create an effective work culture and entrepreneurial mindset? What should be the parameters to build a model village in India? I may be constrained by my limited knowledge to give a holistic comment. But, as a student of mass communication having some interest in community media and digital technology, I believe that in a model village, establishment of a C3 should get priority.

To know about the concept of C3, please read- 

http://cemca.org.in/blog/c3-model-community-communications-3#.VBKSoWO9Wxp

Community Radio in India: Present Status

Community Radio in India: Present Status (August, 2014)

Community radio station is a crucial communication tool in India, where participatory democracy plays a vital role in overall development. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has simplified the process of obtaining licenses so that a number of CRS can come up with the motto of promoting voices and issues of the communities. As of 11th August 2014, there are 171 operational Community Radio stations in India, operating from different parts of the country, catering to diverse communities and under different situations. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has received a total number of 1448 applications so far since 2004 and issued the Letters of Intent (LOI) to 398 organisations.

Community Radio Sammelan 2014

However, only 202 radio stations were signed Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) for setting up of community radio stations in the country.  As per latest reports from the Ministry, a total of 282 applications seeking permissions to set up community radio stations are kept under consideration and rejected 713 number of applications.  A total of 91 applicants were cancelled their Letter of Intents (LOIs) by the Ministry for violating clause 3(b) (iv) of the Policy Guidelines for setting up of Community radio stations in India which states that the eligible applicants should apply in the prescribed format and with the requisite fee to the WPC Wing for frequency allocation and SACFA clearance. 

For detail, may visit- http://mib.nic.in/ShowDocs.aspx