This RJ from A Community Radio Station in Bundelkhand is Spreading Awareness on Climate Change

Varsha Raikwar is an RJ for the show Shubh Kal a show aired on the community radio station in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. She is spreading awareness about climate change. 

It was not easy for Varsha Raikwar to become an RJ. Usually, the girls in her village are married off as soon as they complete their basic education. 25-year-old Varsha comes from Orchha, a small town in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. No woman in her family has stepped outside the house for work. But Varsha persisted and became a Radio Jokey for the radio station in Bundelkhand. She is now spreading awareness among the villagers about the effects of climate change through her show Shub Kal.

After joining the radio, she started educating herself about environmental issues, so she could focus her show on climate change. She says her dream is to educate more people on climate and impact them by changing their way of thinking.

“My approach is positive – I educate them on different ways by which they can make a difference in their lives and live sustainably – rainwater harvesting, organic farming, discarding plastic, planting a kitchen garden, and more. We also asked our listeners to let us know if they had done something new, and featured that on our show,” she says.

In fact, Shubh Kal inspired an entire village to switch to organic farming.

Varsha’s work also extends beyond the studio. She travels to neighbouring villages four times a week and talks to villagers about their efforts. She’s thrilled they recognise her by her voice and call her ‘Didi’ (sister). Her work on the radio and off it has also sparked a social movement, inspiring young girls to pursue higher education and putting a stop to a social evil like child marriage.

“My awareness campaign now extends beyond climate change and includes women’s health. Women are now emboldened enough to talk of their problems and make sure they spread this awareness within their family and the society as well,” says Varsha. 

Credits: HerStory

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