R. Sreedher

R. Sreedher has spent more than fifty years using radio to teach, and helping communities run their own stations. In 2026 he was named for the Padma Shri, from Delhi ^[1].

Chemist turned broadcaster

Sreedher was born on 6 June 1947 and earned his BSc, MSc and PhD in chemistry at the University of Madras ^[2]. He joined All India Radio in 1976 and later Doordarshan, rising from freelancer to director ^[2]. He went on to direct IGNOU’s Electronic Media Production Centre and retired as director of the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia ^[2].

Talking back to the radio

In 1983, long before mobile phones, he ran a live programme in which experts answered listeners’ science questions on air ^[2]. Using the INSAT-1B satellite, he linked listeners in Leh, Lakshadweep and even scientists in Antarctica ^[2]. With the Department of Science and Technology he produced Manav Ka Vikas, a children’s science serial on human evolution broadcast in 18 languages over 200 stations, with 1.4 lakh registered school listeners ^[2]. He also set up more than 500 rural radio science clubs ^[2].

Community radio

He helped launch the Gyan Darshan TV channels and Gyan Vani FM network for distance learners ^[2]. In 2004 he designed and launched what his citation calls India’s first community radio station, at Anna University ^[2]. He has since helped set up more than 300 community stations, and is often called the father of community radio in India ^[2].

He is now an emeritus professor at Apeejay Stya University and runs podcasts for senior citizens ^[2].