Amidst the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, rural communities bore the brunt of its impact. Sectors like education, livelihoods, and communication were severely disrupted. Responding to this crisis, the Brahmaputra Foundation for Social Research & Livelihood Practices dedicated its efforts to aiding the most vulnerable segments of society during this trying period.

 

With the generous backing of UNICEF and Assam Oil India Ltd. Duliajan, and in collaboration with BFFSR&LP along with the support of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Dibrugarh, the Brahmaputra Community Radio Station initiated a remarkable venture named "Radio Parhasali". This innovative program entailed live radio classes aimed at benefiting rural students who were unable to attend conventional schools due to the pandemic.

Across two phases of implementation, a commendable total of twenty-six school teachers from diverse government schools under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Dibrugarh, voluntarily participated in this initiative. Their efforts translated into 47 radio classes spanning from class III to class-IV.

 

The reach of this initiative was truly remarkable, extending to forty-six tea gardens spread across nine districts of both Lower and Upper Assam. Additionally, it touched the lives of twelve other villages within the Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts, achieved through a combination of radio broadcasts and social media platforms. Impressively, this endeavor engaged approximately 4000 students from 106 schools directly, made possible through the invaluable assistance of education volunteers hailing from various villages.