Second Edition of Radio4Child Awards held; Madhuri honours winners

 Mumbai, November 10, 2017:  UNICEF India in partnership with All India Radio and the Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI) today hosted the second edition of the Radio4Child awards to recognize creative and innovative programming on the issue of Routine Immunization and End Violence (against women and children) at a special function in Mumbai.

 The occasion was graced by UNICEF Celebrity Advocate Madhuri Dixit, All India Radio (AIR) OSD Rajeev Kumar Shukla, Mr. K G Suresh, Director General, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Mr Neeraj Aggarwal, ADG Vividh Bharti, Mumbai, Ms. Anuradha Prasad, President, Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) and Mr Rohit Bansal, Group Head, Corporate Communications, RIL.

 UNICEF, AIR and AROI have been conducting capacity building workshops for Private FM as well as All India Radio journalists since 2014 to help them integrate meaningful, appealing radio jingles/ talk shows on the critical messages of child health, Routine Immunization and End Violence.

 To recognize the contribution of radio journalists in creative dissemination of health messages for children, the Radio4child Award was envisaged and the first edition was held in 2015.

 The second edition of this coveted awards showcased the best entries received from a total of 120 RJs from across radio stations in six categories—Best PSA, Best Jingle,  Best RJ link,  Best Creative Campaign,  Mission Indradhanush Best Radio Spot Award and Best Message Clarity Award.

 In addition to immunization, another focus area this year was on the ‘End Violence’ Campaign focusing on digital safety of children

 The awards were presented by Ms Dixit. “Radio as a medium has a far-reaching impact on a wide and diversified audience.  I am delighted to present these awards to the brightest minds in radio who are passionately contributing in creating awareness about the benefits of immunization in various communities. I congratulate all the participants of this award,” Ms. Dixit said. “As an UNICEF Advocate, I would like to reiterate how all children, no matter where they live or their circumstances, have the right to survive and to thrive – and we each have the responsibility to help them realize that right,” she added.

 She lauded the efforts by Radio Jockeys and producers in creating awareness on child health issue and making the larger public, especially the most vulnerable, aware of their rights.

 Mr. Shukla also spoke on the initiative of creating the Radio4child Awards. “As a public broadcaster, we have a responsibility towards social commitment. In this regard, AIR has always been at the forefront of developing and broadcasting programmes that are relevant to the all round development of its audience. Radio4Child awards is a commendable initiative that fosters healthy competition in public interest.”

 UNICEF engaged with public broadcaster AIR and private FM channels to reach the remotest population for ending preventable child deaths.  The awards are a culmination of months of hard work by UNICEF-AROI through workshops to train radio journalists in creating awareness through innovative campaigns. Also present on the occasion was RJ Simran Kohli, director, Speak For Change foundation, who has been associated with the Radio4child platform from its inception.