Our Story
Kadal Osai FM 90.4 is India’s only community radio that exclusively serves the fishermen community in Rameswaram Island. It has been operating since August 15, 2016. We use our 24/7 programs to spread awareness on local issues as well as information on government schemes. Our motto is “For the people and by the people”. Our broadcast covers a 15 km radius from Rameswaram to Uchipuli in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Through the radio, we broadcast to a population of 1.2 lakh people covering 3 Panchayat unions (Mandapam, Pamban and Thangachimadam) and 1 Municipality (Rameswaram).
For the people and by the people
Our motto
Our main purpose is to use the radio to reach out to the fishermen at sea to give them critical timely information such as weather updates, cyclone warnings and disaster alerts. We have everyday programs designed to aid fishermen, from before they set sail, to reach them at sea while fishing.
Being a community radio station that caters to the needs of the fishing community, we aim to improve the livelihoods of the people in the region, especially the underrepresented like women, young teens and Trans genders of backwards communities.
We work with a vision for the future, where we understand that urgent and immediate action needs to be taken to preserve the environment as the very livelihoods of the fishing community of Pamban Island depends on the rich ecosystem of the Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve. With this in mind, a lot of our recent works have focused on alternative sustainable livelihood methods like sea weed collection, ornamental fish farming, and making ornaments and décor using sea shells.
Our mission
Our mission is to be a Community Radio that runs through the active participation of the community where they use the platform to solve their hardships and issues.
Our vision
Our vision is to promote alternative sustainable lifestyles and to develop a better future for the community. We aim to provide a voice for the voiceless in the region.
History
Inauguration
Inauguration of CR and beginning of broadcast
Kadal Osai FM starts broadcasting 24/7
Station Director Mr. S. Armstrong Fernando was awarded the Vikatan awards for “Top 10 influencial youngsters” for the excellent community service done through Kadal Osai FM
Covid cases are on the rise and a nationwide lockdown is imposed. The management decides to uninterruptedly offer the radio’s 24/7 services for the community as media houses were permitted to operate.
Kadal Kaapan award is initiated to reward fishermen who release the endangered sea turtles caught in their nets back into the ocean.
The District Collector Mrs. J.U.Chandrakala IAS presents the Station Head Mrs. Gayathri Usman with the District Administration’s Certificate of Appreciation for the work done for the upliftment of the fishermen community through radio.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting declares 24 community radio stations in India as Lead Community Radio Stations. Kadal Osai FM 90.4 is one of the chosen CRs.
The Ramanathapuram district’s Department of Fisheries and Fishermen welfare presented Kadal Osai FM 90.4 with the “Best Fisheries Communication Agency award” on World Fisheries Day 2022. The award was presented by the District Collector Mr. Johnny Tom Varughese IAS along with the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen welfare Deputy Director Mr. Kathavarayan.