DX South Asia (A26)

 For those who ask, "Who is broadcasting on shortwave these days? Everywhere I tune, I only pick up Chinese broadcasts," here is the answer: numerous radio stations are broadcasting in a wide variety of languages ​​specifically for listeners in South Asia.

According to the 'DX South Asia' (A26) data updated by Jose Jacob (VU2JOS) on March 31, 2026, several international radio stations continue to provide extensive shortwave (SW) broadcasts for listeners across South Asia. These services, aimed at regional cultural exchange and global news delivery, utilize powerful transmitters with capacities ranging from 100 kW to 250 kW, and in some cases up to 500 kW. These broadcasts are meticulously scheduled across various frequencies (kHz) and coordinated from transmitter sites in countries such as China, Australia, Madagascar, and the UAE to ensure clear reception for audiences in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Tamil and Sinhala language services occupy a significant portion of the international shortwave spectrum. China Radio International (CGTN) provides extensive Tamil programming from its transmitters in China; morning broadcasts occur between 0200-0300 UTC on 9800 and 11870 kHz, followed by a session from 0300-0400 UTC on 13600 and 13730 kHz. Evening Tamil broadcasts by CRI are delivered from 1400-1500 UTC on 5965 and 9610 kHz, and from 1500-1600 UTC on 7360 and 9490 kHz. Additionally, Reach Beyond Australia broadcasts a daily Tamil program from its 100 kW Kununurra site between 1300-1315 UTC on 11900 kHz. For Sinhala listeners, CRI broadcasts from 1400-1457 UTC on 7265 and 9665 kHz, and again from 2330-0030 UTC on 6100 and 7260 kHz.

Hindi and Urdu broadcasts cater to one of the largest listener bases in the South Asian region. CRI serves Hindi listeners from 0300-0357 UTC using multiple frequencies including 9695, 11640, 11700, and 15350 kHz, and later from 1300-1357 UTC on 7265 and 9450 kHz. Radio Tehran in Iran provides a high-power 500 kW Hindi broadcast from 1420-1520 UTC on 11640/11710 kHz from its Sirjan site. For Urdu speakers, the Voice of Turkiye broadcasts from its Emirier site in Turkey at 1200-1300 UTC on 17580 kHz with 250 kW of power. CRI also provides Urdu services from 1400-1500 UTC on 6075 and 7285 kHz, and from 1500-1600 UTC on the same frequencies.

Broadcasting in Bengali and various regional languages is supported by organizations like Trans World Radio (TWR) and Adventist World Radio (AWR). CRI broadcasts in Bengali between 0200-0300 UTC on 9655 and 11640 kHz, while Radio Japan provides a 300 kW service from Yamata between 1500-1520 UTC on 11655 kHz. TWR, operating from a 250 kW site in Talata Volonondry, Madagascar, reaches India in languages such as Santhali (1400-1415 UTC, Fridays), Awadhi (1415-1430 UTC, Mondays), and Bundeli (1400-1415 UTC, Saturdays), all on 17700 kHz. AWR broadcasts in Assamese from its 100 kW KSDA Agat site in Guam between 1330-1400 UTC (Sundays and Wednesdays) on 15550 kHz.

English services and other South Indian languages such as Malayalam and Kannada are also well-represented. The BBC World Service broadcasts in English to South Asia from 0000-0200 UTC using 12095 kHz (Oman) and 9750 kHz (Uzbekistan), as well as from 1200-1400 UTC on 15295 kHz via Oman. Malayalam listeners are served by Vatican Radio from 1510-1530 UTC on 15490 and 17790 kHz from its 250 kW SMG transmitter. For Kannada speakers, Reach Beyond Australia operates from 1315-1330 UTC on 11900 kHz, while AWR provides services from 1500-1530 UTC and 1530-1600 UTC on 15215 and 15680 kHz respectively from Guam.

In conclusion, these shortwave services for South Asia are technically robust, utilizing global transmitter networks to overcome geographical barriers. Sites like Dhabbayya in the UAE facilitate FEBA Radio broadcasts in Urdu and Sindhi on 9540 kHz. Radio Taiwan International also reaches the region in English from 1600-1700 UTC on 9405 kHz from its Tamsui site with 300 kW power. Despite the rise of digital media, these 100 kW to 250 kW transmissions from diverse locations like Palau, Romania, and South Korea continue to serve as a vital link for information and culture, reaching the most remote corners of the South Asian subcontinent.

Take your shortwave radio receiver, scan through all the frequencies, and seize this opportunity to test the capabilities of both your radio and the transmitter.

Ooty Conference Charts the Future of Community Radio

As the media landscape rapidly evolves through technological advancement, a two-focused conference titled “Community Radio in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” was held on March 14 and 15, 2026, at Vinayaga Inn by Poppys Hotel in Udhagamandalam. This gathering served as a vital platform for organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions to explore the growth of community broadcasting and the transformative power of AI in the sector. 

A major highlight of the event was the official release of the "Community Radio Handbook," authored by Dr. T. Jaisakthivel from the University of Madras and published by Airmedia Broadcast Solutions. This new publication offers a comprehensive guide for establishing and operating stations, including a detailed directory of existing community radio services across Tamil Nadu.

During the sessions, Dr. Jaisakthivel proposed a significant policy shift for the Indian broadcasting sector, advocating for a Restricted Service License (RSL) model similar to the system used in the United Kingdom. He explained that allowing short-term licenses for specific cultural events such as "Pongal FM" or "Ramadan FM" could boost employment and encourage localized radio growth. 

Complementing this vision for expansion, conference organizer Mr. P. Vijayakumar detailed the practical steps for accessing Central Government grants of up to ₹12.5 lakhs, providing essential guidance for schools and colleges looking to launch their own stations.

 The technical discussions delved into the practical applications of AI, specifically how automated 24-hour broadcasting and AI-driven content production can modernize local stations. Representatives from Rathinavani FM and Kalasalingam FM shared their operational experiences, while the second day shifted focus toward the future with preparations for an International Media Conference set for December. 

With contributions from academic experts like Dr. C. Praveenkumar and Dr. Pragathi, the conference reinforced the role of community radio as a bridge for social development, blending traditional grassroots outreach with cutting-edge technology.

Docctoral research on the QSL Cards

 I am incredibly proud to congratulate Dr. Vijayakumar on receiving a prestigious award from the Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu today. His doctoral research on the QSL Cards of International Radio Stations marks a monumental milestone as the first-ever PhD on this subject in India. While there have been occasional research articles published globally, a full-scale doctoral study on QSL cards is a rare feat even on the international stage, making his work truly pioneering.

This achievement is the result of Dr. Vijayakumar’s tireless effort and unwavering dedication to a unique field of study. By documenting the history and significance of these international radio confirmations, he has preserved a vital part of global communication history that few have explored in such depth. His passion for the subject has not only earned him this academic distinction but has also brought national recognition to this specialized field.

Please join me in celebrating this remarkable scholar! Dr. Vijayakumar’s success serves as an inspiration to all researchers to pursue their unique interests with courage and persistence. Congratulations once again on this well-deserved honor and for putting Indian radio research on the global map! 

Expansion of Community Radio Stations in India (2020–2024)

 

The expansion of Community Radio Stations (CRS) in India from 2020 to 2024 represents a significant period of decentralized media growth, with a total of 212 new stations established across 194 different districts. This study, formatted for scholarly review, examines the spatial and temporal trends of these installations using the data provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. While the global communication landscape shifted during these years, India’s community radio sector demonstrated a non-linear but robust upward trajectory, peaking significantly in 2023 before stabilizing in 2024. The methodology for this analysis involves a quantitative review of Annexure – I from (https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-12/list-of-newly-established-community-radio-stations-crs-for-the-last-five-years-state-and-district-wise-1.pdf), which details the annual establishment of CRS and the number of districts covered across 36 States and Union Territories (UTs). It should be noted that while the statistical data is drawn directly from the sources, any discussion regarding the theoretical "last mile" communication or policy motivations is based on general academic knowledge and may require independent verification.

The national temporal pattern reveals that the period began with modest activity, seeing 20 new stations in 2020 and 24 in 2021. However, 2022 served as a turning point where expansion more than doubled to 59 new stations. This momentum culminated in a historic peak in 2023, during which 81 new stations were established across 75 districts. By 2024, the rate of establishment moderated to 28 stations, though it achieved a notable geographic precision by covering 28 unique districts. This trajectory suggests a strategic emphasis on expanding the reach of community radio rather than merely increasing station density in already served areas.

Regionally, Uttar Pradesh (UP) emerged as the dominant force in the community radio sector, establishing 35 stations in 33 different districts over the five-year period. UP’s growth was particularly concentrated in 2022 and 2023, where it added 11 and 15 stations respectively. Similarly, Odisha showcased a significant surge, starting with just 2 stations in 2020 but expanding rapidly to 12 new stations in 2023, totaling 26 establishments for the entire period. In contrast, Maharashtra’s growth was highly concentrated in a single year, 2022, when it established 15 stations—the highest for any state in a single year—yet it recorded zero new stations in 2023 before adding 7 more in 2024.

The geographic distribution also highlights significant activity in states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Chhattisgarh maintained a steady pace, establishing 4 stations in 2020 and 4 again in 2023, reaching a total of 12 stations across 11 districts. Madhya Pradesh saw a sudden peak in 2023 with 6 new stations covering 5 districts, following several years of minimal activity. In the southern region, Tamil Nadu maintained a consistent presence, with its highest growth of 8 stations occurring in 2022. Meanwhile, Bihar showed a late-period acceleration, with 5 of its 7 new stations being established between 2023 and 2024. Other states like West Bengal followed a consistent growth curve, peaking in 2023 with 4 stations and covering a total of 9 districts over the period.

Despite these pockets of high activity, the data reveals a "digital divide" in community radio expansion across certain UTs and smaller states. Areas such as Goa, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Sikkim, and Tripura recorded zero new CRS establishment during the entire five-year window. Furthermore, states like Haryana and Jharkhand, which showed early promise in 2020 with 5 and 1 stations respectively, saw long periods of stagnation before recording smaller numbers in 2023. This disparity highlights the uneven adoption of community radio infrastructure across the Indian subcontinent. It is also observed that regions like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh only recorded their first station of this period in 2023.

A defining characteristic of the 2020–2024 expansion is the ratio of stations to districts. For the cumulative total, 212 stations were spread across 194 districts, maintaining a near 1:1 ratio. This ratio was most pronounced in 2024, where every one of the 28 new stations was situated in a distinct district. This pattern suggests a policy or institutional preference for diversifying coverage and ensuring that localized broadcasting reaches new administrative territories rather than duplicating services in existing ones. This trend is mirrored in states like Rajasthan, which established 14 stations across 11 districts, and Karnataka, which added 4 stations in 4 districts across the same period.

In conclusion, the data from 2020 to 2024 depicts a community radio landscape in India that is maturing and seeking universal district coverage. The 2023 peak suggests a high-water mark for administrative or community-led initiatives, while the 2024 data indicates a more targeted approach to geographic expansion. While large states like Uttar Pradesh and Odisha drive the national numbers, the lack of growth in smaller regions remains a point for further investigation. It is clear that community radio remains a vital, albeit regionally varied, component of the Indian media ecosystem.

Expanding a community radio network is like planting a forest across a diverse landscape. Initially, only a few saplings take root (2020-2021), but as the environment becomes more favorable, there is a massive growth spurt where trees begin appearing in almost every corner (2022-2023). By the final stage (2024), the focus shifts from rapid planting to carefully selecting the remaining open spots to ensure every part of the land has its own shade.

References

1. Pavarala, V., & Malik, K. K. (2007). Other Voices: The Struggle for Community Radio in India. Sage Publications.
2. Belavadi, V. (2014). Community Radio in India. Oxford University Press.
3. Manyozo, L. (2012). Media, Communication and Development: Three Approaches. Sage Publications.
4. Tabassum, R. (2015). Community Radio: A Tool for Community Empowerment. New Delhi Publishers.
5. Fraser, C., & Estrada, S. R. (2001). Community Radio Handbook. UNESCO.
6. Milan, S. (2013). Social Movements and Their Technologies: Wiring Social Change. Palgrave Macmillan.
7. Narayan, S. (2014). Community Radio in India: The Struggle for Participation. Routledge.
8. Banjaree, I., & Logan, S. (2008). Asian Communication Handbook. AMIC.
9. Jallov, B. (2012). Empowerment Radio: Voices for a Civilized Society. Empowerment Radio.
10. Malik, K. K. (2012). Our Media, Not Theirs: The Community Radio Movement in India. Sage India.