Shillong: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in association with Prasar Bharati and UNESCO is organising a Capacity Building Workshop for Akashwani and Community Radio Stations for promotion of Indigenous Languages in Shillong on February 20-21, 2024.
The workshop will be attended by 15 Community Radio Stations of North Eastern States and 16 Akashwani Radio Stations.
The capacity-building workshop aims to promote indigenous languages through radio stations through training for the creation of indigenous language programmes. The workshop is being organised in technical collaboration with UNESCO, which has been at the forefront of promoting indigenous languages worldwide and has recognized the critical role of Radio Stations in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity. UNESCO’s Indigenous Peoples Cultural Heritage,and Intellectual Property Programme aims to promote the safeguarding and revitalization of indigenous languages and cultures, through community media.
The role of Akashwani, the public broadcaster, in the preservation of languages and culture, is well recognised. The Community Radio stations which are run by the community provide a platform to air local voices among the local community on issues concerning health, nutrition, education, agriculture etc. Moreover, since the broadcast is in local languages and dialects, people can relate to it instantly. The creation of Radio programmes in indigenous languages will not only preserve the language but also the culture which is of utmost significance.
There are several Indigenous languages in the North Eastern States and this workshop is one of its kind which will go a long way in the promotion and preservation of indigenous Languages, according to a press note from PI B, Shillong.
