Community Radio and Social Capital Towards Community Development: Perspectives From India

Abstract

Sangam dalit women participated in information communication technologies for development, which they seem to be more convinced about. Sangam Radio has created an environment of development with the infusion of ICT in their developmental approach. They could able to sustain with this approach because of their community participation. Their participation at all levels reflects that it is not difficult to access, adapt and generate knowledge with this technology. India can take advantage of its inherent capital among society i.e. social capital on many development interventions like community radio, to sustain. Radio is still seen more close to communities and when it empowers people to own and operate, radio becomes community radio. Community radio narrows the social and geographical distances. It makes communities to believe in shared destiny and lead them towards common objective of development. In the process gradually people starts thinking beyond societal discrimination and differences and they knit together towards their community’s betterment. When community radio fails, in most of the places due to financial crises and competition, social capital can let it survive. Hence it can be said that social capital is the most vital capital, which is creating community radio, with its inherent attributes of social trust. On the other hand it would not be wrong in arguing that, community radio is facilitating towards fostering social capital.