How one Indian radio station is giving ‘a lifeline to people with disabilities’ around the world

Set up in 2015, the volunteer-run station now has some 50,000 people with disabilities tuning in to its trilingual broadcasts every month

Radio Udaan organises events that help listeners find jobs, go on dates, learn new skills, and take part in talent contests

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Radio Udaan has provided a platform for many people with visual and other disabilities to display their talents. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:30pm, 31 Dec 2022Updated: 7:43pm, 31 Dec 2022

Minal Singhvi was, naturally, devastated when she went blind at 28, but she soon decided she wouldn’t let it unravel her life.

She knew that many with disabilities feel depressed, lonely and emotionally disconnected from family and friends. Singhvi, from Hyderabad, India, also knew there was very little information to help disabled people navigate their lives.

So in 2014, seven years after she lost her sight, Singhvi co-founded Radio Udaan, an online community radio station for people with disabilities, to give help and hope to people like her.

Today, it broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week – and some 50,000 people from more than 115 countries tune in every month.

Minal Singhvi (centre), one of the co-founders of Radio Udaan, who lost her sight at 28. Photo: Handout

Many similar radio stations around the world have floundered, but Radio Udaan’s founders did not lose heart, using talking software to develop tutorials for the visually impaired and building strong connections with listeners. They also gave them a space to express their views and display their talents through competitions and quizzes.

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