Hyderabad, March 24 (NationPress) The Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) marked a significant achievement on Tuesday with the unveiling of its community radio station, Radio MANUU 90.0 FM, located at its Gachibowli campus in Hyderabad.

This station was officially launched by Rajeev Kumar Jain, the Director General of All India Radio, who was accompanied by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan.

Created by the university’s Instructional Media Centre (IMC), the station is designed to cater to the local community and its residents. MANUU envisions this platform as a way to elevate local narratives and tackle community-specific challenges.

During his address, Rajeev Kumar Jain emphasized the role of community radio in reaching underrepresented groups and narrowing the digital gap. He pointed out that community radio serves as an effective communication tool for educational institutions due to its affordability, ease of access, portability, and versatility in content.

Despite its coverage extending to 16 km, the reach of the station can be greatly enhanced through social media.

He noted that there are currently 560 community radio stations operating throughout India, with approximately 38 percent managed by educational institutions. Community radio is a powerful medium that empowers individuals, and its expansion aligns with the government's vision of inclusive communication.

He expressed hope that MANUU radio would contribute to the University's mission of nation-building through the spread of knowledge. He mentioned that Aakashvani has consistently supported community radios and affirmed that quality content can also be broadcasted on Aakashvani. He encouraged creative individuals to collaborate with the Aakashvani Radio Station.

Rajeev Jain further discussed the transformation of radio in the digital age, referring to the growth of Aakashvani’s social media presence and plans to implement “visual radio” systems across 33 locations by 2027.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan stated that this initiative showcases MANUU’s dedication to extending education beyond traditional classrooms and ensuring that knowledge is accessible to the wider community.

He underscored the significance of radio as a medium for exchanging ideas and reaching broader audiences beyond the campus.

Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, the Registrar, remarked that Radio MANUU is a vital tool and an essential addition to our outreach initiatives. It provides a new avenue for engaging with communities, sharing knowledge, and bringing the University closer to the populace it serves.

Rizwan Ahmad, Director of IMC, highlighted that Radio MANUU is an extensive outreach initiative that will showcase a variety of cultural programs, including language, literature, history, heritage, nutrition, environment, and more. He mentioned that numerous distinguished individuals have recorded these programs with great enthusiasm.