All day long, she records the grievances of the people related to the NREGS.

She would then air it on Lalit Lokvani — a community radio initiative of UNICEF Uttar Pradesh, which aims at exploring Bundelkhand’s largest district, Lalitpur.

Interacting with the media on Friday as a part of the ‘Media for Children’ initiative by the UNICEF and Media Nest, UP, station director of the channel Mridul Srivastava said: “Community radio is the real voice of the people and caters to the interests and needs of a certain area, its culture, craft, cuisine and above all social and development issues.”

Speaking on the occasion, Augustine Velaith, Communication specialist, UNICEF, said in November 2007, the Centre made a policy of issuing private community radio licenses for 5,000 stations.

This made it possible for registered non-government organisations to enter the field. “UNICEF saw the potential of this communication medium and selected Lalitpur, one of its integrated project districts for setting up the maiden community radio station,” he said.

“I find it difficult to believe that a gaon ki bahu is actually recording programmes, editing them and solving issues of women through radio,” said Chandel. She said initially, she had a tough time convincing her family members, but once they realised that this would benefit the community, she was allowed to work for it.

The channel is a joint venture between UNICEF and Sai Jyoti Gramudyog Seva Sansthan, an NGO.

The 15-km transmission range covers 60 villages with a population over 1 lakh. While the pilot project has been initiated, the actual transmission will start as soon as the channel gets the license from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.