New Delhi, Dec 8: The Indian Institute of Mass Communication in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, is organizing the Regional Community Radio Sammelan (East) on 10th and 11th December 2025 in Guwahati. The theme of the Sammelan is “Celebrating 20 Years of Community Radio in India.”
The two-day event will bring together community radio practitioners, media educators, government representatives, and experts from eastern and northeastern states, including Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Manipur. Participants will discuss the evolving landscape of community radio and explore opportunities to strengthen the sector.
The Sammelan will commence with an inaugural session featuring distinguished speakers, including Dr. Pragya Paliwal, Vice Chancellor of IIMC, Smt. Shilpa Rao, Director (CRS), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri L. Madhu Nag, Registrar, IIMC, and Prof. Sangeeta Pranvendra, Convenor of the Regional Sammelan.
Over the two days, sessions will cover key policy and operational aspects, including Grant of Permission Agreements (GoPA), government scheme applications, participation in national awards, the Navigate Bharat Portal, the role of Artificial Intelligence in community radio, state government engagement, and the promotion of indigenous languages in broadcasting. Experts such as Prof. Uma Pappuswamy (Central Institute of Indian Languages), Shri N.A. Shah Ansari (Director, Radio Namaskar), Prof. Kanchan K Malik (University of Hyderabad), and Prof. Sangeeta Pranvendra will lead these discussions.
A technical session by WPC officials will guide participants on practical topics, including transmitter replacement, migration to the Saral Sanchar Portal, and Wireless Operating License renewal, ensuring smooth and compliant operations for CR stations.
The event will conclude with an “Open House & Way Forward” session, offering an interactive platform for participants to engage with Ministry and IIMC officials, share experiences, raise concerns, and discuss future strategies.
Celebrating 20 years of community radio in India, the Sammelan reaffirms the commitment to strengthening community-driven media, fostering collaboration, and empowering stations as vibrant platforms for local voices, culture, and development communication.