MUMBAI: The Indian government has signed an agreement with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for operationalisation of FM stations for education broadcast at 40 places.

Out of this, 26 are presently operational. In addition, the government has also agreed for setting up of FM stations for educational broadcasts by IGNOU at 15 more places.

The FM stations set up by IGNOU are called Gyan Vani, a “Radio Cooperative” devoted exclusively to education and community development. These inter-active participatory educational stations are aimed at great empowerment of the people particularly the disadvantaged sections of the Society located in the remote and distant areas of the country.

The programmes include information relevant to students of pre-primary, primary, secondary and higher secondary, as well as enrichment programmes to build environmental awareness, women’s empowerment, legal literacy, professional education and science education.