cr- laya biographies

8/9/2019 CR- Laya Biographies

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RADIO

MEET 8 COMMUNITYREPORTERS WORKING IN

RURAL ANDHRA

PRADESH TO LOCALIZE

MEDIA AND EMPOWERCOMMUNITY VOICES.

DRISHTI, IN PARTNERSHIP

WITH SELECT INDIANNGOS, IS LEADING A

MOVEMENT TO ESTABLISHCOMMUNITY-DRIVEN

RADIO STATIONS IN INDIA.

COMMUNITY


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Translation: Karuna DSouza, Drishti & Ravi Raja Javvadi, LAYAInterview: Kaberi Choudhury, Drishti & Alana Kinarsky, DrishtiPhotography: Alana KinarskyDesign: Alana Kinarsky

To create this document each Community Reporter was asked to answer a fewquestions about themselves and their work. Their written responses were translatedfrom Telugu to English and then summarized.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT COMMUNITY MEDIA. 2

ABOUT DRISHTI. 3

ABOUT LAYA.... 4

QUOTE. 5

COMMUNITY REPORTER PROFILESDURGA RAO 7

LOVA KUMARI 8

RAMANAMMA 9

ANNAPURNA 10

KRUPAVATHI 11

VIJAYA KUMARI 12

JOGI REDDY 13

KANAKAMAHALAXMI 14


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Community media is an important tool for communication,

resistance, education, and cultural expression.

Furthermore, It is crucial to the livelihood of a vibrant and

democratic media. After a decade long movement to free

Indias airwaves, community radio was rejuvenated in 2006

with the passing of the Community Radio Law permitting

community based organizations and NGOs to start their own

radio stations. Drishti has been fighting for a communitys

right to create and manage radio programming since the

90s. With the potential to engage 50,000 - 75,000 listeners

daily, community radio expands an NGOs reach and

empowers communities to access and exercise their rights.

By demystifying technology and breaking the digital divide,

marginalized communities gain access and control over

media tools needed to secure their freedom of speech. Byputting media into the hands of everyday citizens we are

empowering community voices and localizing development.

Stations spearheaded by Drishti are of the people, for

the people, and by the people to defend and promote their

rights, culture, and environment.

We seek to not only create local media, but to build participants

abilities to communicate effectively and think analytically so theywill grow as leaders and activists.


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Drishti is a Gujarat based organization using media and tharts to build empowered communities that value self-expression and upholdhuman rights. Committed to building a media of the people, for the people andby the people in partnership with NGOs around India, they use community video

and radio to empower and revolutionize grassroot struggles and to promotesustainable development.


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LAYA is a non-profit organization in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesworking with tribal communities to secure access and control of their land (includin

forest and water resources), to promote sustainable livelihood, and to ensure self-

governance to encourage the survival of tribal identity and value systems. They

provide legal assistance and advocacy, encourage sustainable resourcemanagement, and empower women while also building the capacity of tribal youth


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Never doubtthat a smallgroup ofthoughtfulcommittedcitizens canchange theworld.

Indeed, it isthe only thing

that ever has.

-Margaret Mead


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MEET

OURGROUP


8/16

Community Radio allows me to collect and share the many narratives ofmy people through audio. I am passionate about storytelling, as well as

singing, and believe that through radio we are able to share a diversity ofexperiences with a wide audience. Many. The radio station is going to be

our platform to discuss health, agriculture, education, and local culture. Iam excited to be a part of something that will better the lives of the

Adivasi community, while also improving my ability to write well andenhancing my computer literacy.

Drishti + LAYA Community Radio Unit

Durga Rao26 years old


9/16

After completing the tenth grade, I did a vocational course in sewing and

worked long hours at a threads factory in Chennai. I wanted to be closerto my family and home, so after a year I left Chennai. The Community

Radio Program is giving me the opportunity to learn and work in and formy own community. For the people here, this station establishes an open

and fair space to discuss and debate relevant issues. We are working tounify the Adivasi community and help further development in this area. I

am excited to start creating audio programs and eager to show the worldwhat I can accomplish.


Lova Kumari19 years old


10/16

I am the mischievous one of the group because I ask many questions and

always speak my mind. When I approached my husband and mother-in-law for permission to join the Community Radio team, they forbid me to

work outside the home. However, I protested until they began toappreciate the value and importance of community development.

Through the station, I want to bring information into my community andeducate my neighbors about what is happening around the world. Here

we live and find joy in the present moment; I hope we can incorporate thisphilosophy into our work while also demonstrating the importance of

planning ahead.


Ramanamma20 years old


11/16

I am here to learn everything I do not yet know! Having worked as an

education volunteer and a bookkeeper, I am now looking forward tolearning how to use a computer and run a station as a Community

Reporter. I believe it is important to bring relevant, local news to this areaso that we can have all the information we need to improve our own

situation. My community has a rich culture that should be shared andcelebrated, but we also have problems that require debate. The radio

station will enable us to make our own lives better; I am excited to buildour future!


Annapurna20 years old


12/16

As a Community Reporter, I identify and research local problems and then

work with the team to brainstorm solutions that can improve our

community. My people should be aware of the long-term effects ofalcohol, the negative impact of child marriage, how to be financially

responsible, new approaches to agriculture, and so much more. As a

young girl, I had to abandon my studies and get married to a man wholater left me for another woman. I moved back to my mothers home withmy 9-year-old son and got involved with the station. Now I am learning

many new skills such as research, computer, and audio editing.


Krupavathi25 years old


13/16

After completing my undergraduate studies, I taught elementary school

and then went on to become a health worker. I learned about local health

problems, symptoms and treatments of malaria, as well HIV testing and

treatment methodologies. Now, as a Community Reporter, I am able to

share medical news with listeners and ensure that people live healthier

lives. Media has always been brought to us from elsewhere, but now we

are broadcasting information that is locally relevant and important.

Everyone is eager to listen because it is locally generated content and in

the local language.


Vijaya Kumari20 years old


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I was drawn to the Community Radio program because I believe in

medias ability to hold government responsible. For years, information

about government schemes have not been reaching the Adivasi people, a

community that is often exploited because of their low literacy rates. Our

station can spread important information and increase access. I am also

deeply concerned about land encroachment by non-tribal communities,

which is hindering our livelihood. I am determined to harness the power

of radio to broadcast information and raise awareness amongst the local

people.


Jogi Reddy30 years old


15/16

I used to wake up, work the fields, do housework, tutor kids after school,

and make dinner for my family every day. Now, as a Community Radio

Reporter, I am busy developing a strategy on what kind of content and

programs our station will bring to this community. I spend my days

learning to use a computer, playing the dappu (a local drum) and studying

English so that I can communicate with the entire world. I am excited for

the station to give us a voice by airing programs in our dialect on our

traditional farming methods, diverse festivals, and way of live.


Kanakamahalaxmi22 years old


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LEND YOUR SUPPORT

WWW.DRISHTIMEDIA.ORG

OVER THE NEXT DECADE,DRISHTI AIMS TO

USE PARTICIPATORY MEDIA AND ART TO

EMPOWER THE VOICES OF MARGINALIZED

COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE AND TO ENGAGE

TODAY'S YOUTH WITH THE CRITICAL ISSUESFACING OUR COMMUNITIES.

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