DEHRADUN JAIL RADIO: UTTARAKHAND

Journey of Tinka Jail Radio in Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Doon Jail Radio

On the occasion of Diwali, Tinka Tinka Foundation presents a very special episode on the journey of Dehradun Jail Radio.

In June 2021, Dr. Vartika Nanda, Founder, Tinka Tinka Foundation received a phone call from Pavan Kothari, jailer of District Jail, Dehradun showing his interest to start prison radio in his jail. He mentioned that this idea crossed his mind because of the feature article written by her with the title- “Salakhon mein Rang Bharta Radio” published in Dainik Jagran on 11 April 2021. This state did not have a radio station, and thus he prompted that his jail be chosen, as the pilot project.

The journey started with a simple phone call has now converted into a big canvas. 3 inmates lodged in this jail, Dr. Suchit Narang, Rohit and Arun are the permanent members of the jail radio. Dr. Narang created the signature tune of Tinka Tinka Jail Radio, with which now every Tinka Jail Radio Podcast begins and ends. This special episode traces the journey of the birth and the progress of Doon Jail Radio.

This episode takes you to a lesser-known place. This is released by Tinka Prison Research Cell, established in 2021.

Gratitude for this episode: Uttarakhand: Vimla Gunjyal, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and Dadhiram, Senior Superintendent, Uttarakhand Prisons and Pavan Kothari, Jailor, District Jail, Dehradun.

Script and Audio Production: Sukhnandan Bindra

Citations and References: Jail Radio: Dehradun (Uttarakhand) 

Podcasts: 

• Tinka Tinka Jail Radio (2023, November 12)| Journey of Doon Jail Radio [Audio podcast episode] | Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Vartika Nanda| https://youtu.be/u8jyC0VpD9M?si=F-zLwxqqmi1y511e
• Tinka Jail Radio | Episode 65 | Main Hoon Tinka: Signature Tune & Vibes of Change. (2023, May 31). Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/L19FMAoUcME?si=YQ5kprTlig3yMgEN
• Main Hoon Tinka. (2023, May 30). Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtube.com/shorts/26ZbEGgftrc?si=I7JXeqikI22BjgzC
• Main Hoon Tinka. (2021, May 30). Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo: 7 voices [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation .https://youtu.be/GiqnssQGx-Q?si=k2rUz-tNPhFlazet
• Tinka Tinka Jail Radio | Episode 30| Uttarakhand Day Dehradun Jail. (2021, November 9). Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/_Bdi_2pp4fA?si=36FiJyxgOWUKsIdT
• Tinka Tinka Jail Radio | Episode 28 |Dehradun Radio Training. (2021, September 23) Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/3lUvEzc8jN0?si=8EG_PYLTA1qBFFi9
• Jail Radio in Dehradun District Jail. (2023, May 8). [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/q43xw88OR4U?si=YWPBSgwPh7qH_dLa
• Tinka Hoon Main: तिनका हूं मैं ।। जेल और यज्ञ। (2023, May 29). [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. Main Hoon Tinka। Tinka Tinka Foundation। Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo 2: 7 voices (youtube.com)
• Promo: May 28, 2023: Main Hoon Tinka. (2023, May 28). [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. Main Hoon Tinka। Tinka Tinka Foundation। Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo 1 (youtube.com)

Blog Post: 

• Tinka Foundation Day: Voices from Jail: Main Hoon Tinka: Dehradun jail inmates created a special signature tune http://vartikananda.blogspot.com/2023/05/2023-31-may-tinka-foundation-day-voices_31.html?m=1
• Tinka Hoon Main: An extraordinary musical journey: Part 1 http://vartikananda.blogspot.com/2023/05/tinka-hoon-main-extraordinary-musical.html?m=1

Press:

• Uttarakhand jails to have radio stations, inmates to turn RJs (newindianexpress.com)
• Dehradun Sudhowala Jail Prisoners Create Signature Tune Of Jail Radio Over Uttarakhand Diwas – Amar Ujala Hindi News Live – उत्तराखंड दिवस:देहरादून की सुद्दोवाला जेल के बंदियों ने बनाया जेल रेडियो का सिग्नेचर ट्यून, ऐसे की थी तैयारी
• देहरादून की सुद्धोवाला जेल में कैदी बनेंगे रेडियो जाकी, जल्‍द गूंजेगा गुड मार्निंग दून जेल – Prisoners will become radio jockey in Dehraduns Suddhowala jail Jagran Special
• Dehradun Suddowala Jail Inmates Release Signature Tune Main Hoon Tinka New Identity Through Prison Radio – Amar Ujala Hindi News Live – Dehradun: मैं हूं तिनका…जेल के बंदियों का सिग्नेचर ट्यून रिलीज, मिलिए इन कलाकारों से जिन्हें मिली नई पहचान

Website: https://tinkatinka.org/jail-radio-uttarakhand/

RADIO IN PRISON AT THE OFFICE OF RESIDENT COMMISSION, J&K

RADIO IN PRISON AT THE OFFICE OF RESIDENT COMMISSION, J&K

7th March, 2025

J&K Resident Commission celebrated International Women's Day with great fervor under the aegis of 'Hello J&K initiative'. The event, themed 'Accelerate Action', highlighted the urgency of advancing gender parity and reinforcing the commitment towards women empowerment.  Speaking on the occasion, Principal Resident Commissioner, Dr. Rashmi Singh, applauded the contributions and resilience of female employees in the Resident Commission office as well as the Directorate, many of whom joined the event virtually. She reiterated the government's dedication towards supporting the womenfolk in all spheres of life. #JammuAndKashmir #women'sday

Enjoyed the august presence of Dr. Manisha Priyam, Professor Education Policy at NEPA and Dr. Aditi Paswan, Assistant Professor at Delhi University.  It was an honour for me to share thoughts about women in prisons and the journey of Radio in Prison, the recently published book by National Book Trust, India.

LINK- https://www.knskashmir.com/jandk-resident-commission-celebrates-international-women-s-day-193205

WEBSITE LINK: https://tinkatinka.org/radio-in-prison/

10 March, 2025: Sahitya Academy: Timeless Stories

साहित्य अकादेमी की ओर से आयोजित एशिया के सबसे बड़े साहित्योत्सव -FESTIVAL OF LETTERS- का देश की राजधानी नई दिल्ली में आयोजन चल रहा है. साहित्योत्सव के चौथे दिन यानि 10 मार्च को ब्रह्मपुत्र सभागार में  WHAT MAKES TIMLESS STORIES AS TIMELESS TALES 'वह क्या है, जो विशिष्ट कहानियों को कालजयी बनता है?' विषय पर संगोष्ठी हुई. इसकी अध्यक्षता Vivek Shanbhag ने की. वक्ताओं में Ashwani Kumar, Manisha Kulshreshtha, P. Raja, Paramita Sathpathy, Shubha Sarma और Vartika Nanda शामिल रहे.

VN Talk focussed on Tinka Jail Radio, Kissa Khaki Ka and Radio in Prison, published by National Book Trust, India. 

Website Link: Literature – Vartika Nanda