India is all set to welcome its first radio channel dedicated to the LGBT community. Radiowalla.in, India’s first Direct to Consumer multi-channel internet radio platform announced that it will play host to a radio channel especially for the Gay and Lesbian Community in India. The channel will be available from 11th September 24×7 via any broadband connected device and mobile phones with a Data plan through mobile Apps for android, iOS, Blackberry and java feature phones. Radiowalla.in already has over 30 radio stations carefully created and curated by professionals with a wide range of music, non-music and talk shows with personalities like The Kiran Bedi Show and others.
Speaking to Pink Pages, Anil Srivatsa, CEO and Co-founder of Radiowalla said, “One of the main objectives of Radiowalla.in, as a platform, is to cater to special interests of a population not being addressed by mainstream media adequately and that of inclusion of all through the diverse channels offered on this radio platform. I believe that the Gay and Lesbian population can benefit from a space of their own. This community has style, they are upwardly mobile, they are coming out to show the nation that they belong and have to be accepted and it is about time they get a voice of their own in the national discourse. I am delighted at this decision to have their participation as part of our offering.”
The work on Q-Radio started in November last year, and Anil admits that delays happened because he had difficulty in sourcing the right people for the job. Now that he has put together his team and logistics, he’s eagerly looking forward to the launch.
The shows will be hosted by a bunch of young and dynamic people- both gay and straight- who already have a good experience hosting radio shows. Vaishalli Chandra’s show HqO will resonate with life, showcasing the roller coaster ride it promises to be through stories shared by LGBTs. John Jacob’s show called Gay Ghandi in New York helped thousands of people in the LBGT community, and now he wants to take over India.
Lets Get Beyond Ties will be hosted by John and Sandy, and will have elements like WTF – A crazy viewpoint or news story that John and Sandy will have commentary on, Seriously Speaking – where Topic of the day will be discussed, Join the conversation, The Scoop – Newsy or interesting nuggets from online magazines, Time Out – Lifestyle Segment OR WAMS (When Adam Met Steve) which is Stand-up Comedy. Heart to Heart will be hosted By Sandy with Counselors Ajanta De and Mahesh Natrajan.
Anil has already started reaching out to NGOs in Bangalore and to the LGBT community in general. “I hope that active response and participation from the gay community will make our efforts a success. We’re hoping to reach out to more people through social media, and happy to see that our facebook page has already started getting many hits.”
India’s LGBT community has come a long way from the days of Section 377 with gay film festivals, community events, parties, merchandise & book stores and e-magazines. A new radio channel is surely another step ahead and it should definitely add more jazz to a fast evolving Indian gay culture.
by Staff Report
Source – Pink Pages
