UNICEF India and Ayushmann Khurrana Celebrate Radio Excellence for Child Rights
Renowned Bollywood actor and UNICEF India National Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana presented the Radio4Child Awards to 22 radio professionals from across the country.
MUMBAI, 27 February 2024 – The fifth edition of the UNICEF India Radio4Child Awards held today, honoured the outstanding contributions of 22 radio professionals from All India Radio, private FM stations and community radio for their exemplary work in creating awareness on routine immunization, climate change child protection issues.
The 2024 awards were presented by renowned Bollywood actor and UNICEF India National Ambassador, Ayushmann Khurrana, highlighting three themes that impact children’s rights.
Addressing the award winners and radio professionals, Ayushmann Khurrana shared how his career started as an RJ and added, “I’m deeply invested in child rights, rights that help children survive, thrive, and develop in a safe environment, enabling them to be and to do their best in their lives. Today, we celebrate the talents of radio professionals, whose work reaches millions with important messages that help children realize their aspirations. As storytellers, educators, and changemakers they remind us that radio is more than entertainment, it is a powerful medium for good.”
The Radio4Child Awards 2024 received 165 entries from 59 radio professionals across 20 states, reflecting a collective effort in amplifying messages that impact children. Radio4Child is a vibrant public-private partnership, bringing together radio professionals from all over India, while enhancing understanding of radio professionals on child rights.
Zafrin Chowdhury, Chief of Communications, Advocacy, and Partnerships, UNICEF India, expressed UNICEF’s appreciation for the Radio4Child (R4C) partnership and the commitment and interesting work of radio professionals in promoting child rights.
“Building on its rich, 100-year history, radio in India continues to grow as a popular, affordable and trusted source of information and entertainment with social commitment. We rely on the Radio4Child partnership to spread awareness on critical issues for children such as immunization, health and safety from early years. This year, UNICEF is marking its 75th anniversary in India. Together, let us harness the power of radio to drive change for every child to have a better and brighter future.”
The entries were evaluated based on criteria of innovation, emotion, and messaging by a jury, comprising of former radio professionals from All India Radio, representative of the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI); senior members from civil society, SSDS, UNICEF NGO partner and columnists.
On the first day, over 60 radio professionals participated in a day-long capacity development workshop on Inclusive Early Childhood Development, Climate Change, and Child Protection – reflecting on the commitment to fostering innovation in radio programming for children's issues.
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Notes to Editors
For the list of all winners, see Annexure-I
For photos and videos of the event log onto: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM408UIQ1W7
ANNEXURE – I
List of winners of Radio4Child Awards 2024 winners:
1. All India Radio
Routine Immunization
- Suvayan Bala, Akashvani FM Gold, Kolkata, West Bengal
- for: “Aay Aay Chand Mama…”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5615
Climate change
Joint winners:
- Ms. Vinayshree, Akashvani, Kurukshetra, Haryana
- for: “Earth is on a Ventilator now”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5349
- Suresh Kumar, All India Radio, Delhi
- for: “Jal Hai To Kal Hai”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5714
Child Protection
- Anil Kumar Tiwari, All India Radio, Patna, Bihar
- for: “Salamat Tu Ghar Aana Re”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5273
2. Community Radio
Routine Immunization
- RJ Umar Nisar, Mashq Talks, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
- for: “Meeting my Childhood Vaccination Hero”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5922
Climate Change
- Aditi Gaur, Radio Jaago, Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh
- for: "नदी धरती की जीवनधारा और हमारी आवश्यकता”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=6103
Child Protection
- RJ Sushil, Kalinga Bharati, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- for: “Ae Chhotu, 2 Bhaji aur 2 Chai Laga…”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5306
3. Private FM
Routine Immunization – Jingle
- RJ Vishesh Vinod Chhabra, Punjabi Fever 107.2 FM, Delhi
- for: “Lagwale Teeka Full, Rubella Gull”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5700
Routine Immunization – PSA
- Dr. Subhash Krishna, Programming Director, Radio City, Patna, Bihar
- for: “Tike se Bhagegi Bimari”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5375
Routine Immunization – Radio Spot
- RJ Animesh 94.3 MYFM, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- for: “Super Hero”
Routine Immunization – RJ Link
- RJ Chokha, 95 Big FM, Patna, Bihar
- for: "बच्चों के स्वास्थ्य की सुरक्षा: टीकाकरण का महत्व"
Climate Change – Jingle
- RJ Payal, Radio City 91.1 FM, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- for: “Paryavaran Ke Rakshak”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5323
Climate Change – PSA
- RJ Niel, Radio Choklate, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- for: “Mun Samaya Kahuchi (I am Time)”
Climate Change – Radio Spot
Joint winners:
- RJ Mandy, Radio Gupshup, Guwahati, Assam
- for: “Green Yoddha featuring the Green Commandos of Assam”
- Shashi Bhushan Kumar, Radio Mirchi, Patna
- for: “The Climate is Changing, so Should We”
Climate Change – RJ Link
- RJ Rashi, 92.7 Big FM, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- for: “Dharti Ki Sair”
Child Protection – Jingle
- Rahul Makin, Fever FM, New Delhi
- for: “SoundMind Waves: Uniting For Protecting Mental Health in Children”
Child Protection – PSA
- RJ Abhijeet, Radio Orange, Sangli, Maharashtra
- for: “Bal Vivah Ka Dukh”
Child Protection – Radio Spot
- Nehal Naidu, 94.3 MYFM, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- for: “Kala Khatta”
- Audio: https://radio4child.com/radio4child-awards-2024-entries/?cid=3911&cac=submission&ctx=page&cm=0&sid=5748
Child Protection – RJ Link
- RJ Neha, Radio Orange, Akola, Maharashtra
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