Revitalizing the Language and Culture Through Community Radio: A Case Study of Hajong Community from Dhemaji District, Assam

Abstract

The present paper shall deal with access and utilization of the Brahmaputra Community Radio Station (BCRS), particularly by the Hajong community (tribe) from the Dhemaji district of Assam. The paper shall also attempt to explain how BCRS is being able to create a community media platform to promote the language and culture of the Hajong community. Brahmaputra Community Radio Station (BCRS) is the first civil-society-led community radio station in the Northeast India region. It has been established with the aim to promote local voice and culture and spread community voices, particularly the marginalized group of community who do not have any access to other medium of community to the mainstream. As a part of its aim and objectives, BCRS is working with different community groups from the tea garden and riverine communities of Dibrugarh and Dhemaji and other parts of Assam since the past decade. In the riverine and mainland villages of Dhemaji, there are different tribal groups, including the Hajong Community. From the inception of the Radio Brahmaputra, BCRS has been able to create a loyal listenership among the Hajong community people. Based on their spontaneous participation and involvement with the radio station, producers of BCRS visited their villages to get more information about their need and to provide particular space for this community on the radio platform. The paper shall explain the process of the initiation of BCRS to motivate and engage the cultural participation of the Hajong community in the radio station. The paper will conclude with the help of a case study of the Hajong community radio programme listeners and how BCRS with the help of newly constructed infrastructure like Bogibeel Bridge and expansion of mobile connectivity has been able to mobilize the community.