The Indian Army on Saturday inaugurated a community radio station in the Keri sector of Doongi block in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to strengthen communication and outreach in the border area near the Line of Control. Officials said the station will broadcast information on social welfare schemes, education and health while providing a platform for local voices and cultural programming.
community radio Rajouri brings local news and education
Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma described the station as a local source of both entertainment and essential information. “A community radio station serves as a local source of entertainment as well as information. It also helps the local administration connect with people,” he said. Army representatives emphasised that the service is intended to foster two-way communication with residents and to ensure timely dissemination of government initiatives.
The new facility is intended to reach audiences in remote and border-facing villages where conventional media and internet connectivity are often limited. Programming will include updates on government schemes, health advisories, school and adult-education information, and features that highlight local culture and language. Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, calling it a practical step to improve connectivity in a region that faces unique logistical challenges.
Alongside the radio launch, Rajouri saw the opening of a dedicated coaching centre for civil services examinations. The Officers’ IAS/JKAS Coaching Institute has been established to support candidates from Rajouri, Poonch and neighbouring border areas, offering instruction for the Union and state-level services as well as other competitive exams.
Director and founder Preeti Sharma said the institute targets talented students who lack resources and opportunities in the region. She told reporters the centre aims to provide high-quality faculty and structured courses to reduce the need for aspirants to relocate to larger cities for preparation. “This initiative is for bright students, especially from the Rajouri and Poonch areas, as they have a great deal of potential but lack opportunities and platforms,” she said.
Local youth at the event expressed optimism. Aspirant Tahir Nazir described the new coaching centre as transformative for students who previously had to travel to Jammu or Delhi. “It is a great initiative by the Officers’ IAS/JKAS Coaching Institute. Students who would normally go to Jammu or Delhi for preparation now have an option available here, with the best faculty provided. This will also support youth who cannot afford to go outside,” he said.
Officials expect the combined impact of the community radio and coaching centre to be significant. The radio station offers a low-cost, accessible platform to share vital information on health campaigns, education drives and welfare entitlements, while the coaching centre seeks to expand upward mobility by equipping local candidates with the skills needed for competitive examinations.
Observers noted that such initiatives can foster greater civic engagement and social resilience in border districts. By bringing government information and educational opportunities closer to homes, authorities hope to reduce barriers to services and create new pathways for youth development in Rajouri’s frontier communities.
Key Takeaways:
- India launches community radio Rajouri to improve health, education and welfare outreach in the Keri sector near the Line of Control.
- The station will broadcast local news, cultural programming and information on government social schemes to border residents.
- A new civil services coaching centre in Rajouri offers IAS/JKAS training to local aspirants who previously had to travel for preparation.
- Officials and residents welcomed both initiatives as positive steps for community development and youth opportunity in the border belt.
