Sona FM, a community radio initiated by Valliappa Foundation, is based in Salem, Tamil Nadu. With years of service to underserved communities, Valliappa Foundation commits to empowering the community in Yercaud and Salem districts through radio. Community radio is a means to reach every home in the district with dedicated content that interests, informs, and entertains.

As our tagline says: நம்ம மக்களின் குரல் (Namma Makkalin Kural), we provide a channel through which the voices of the people of Salem District can be heard. Our programs like Faces of Salem, Agriculture Thursday, or Minds of Women, are directly based on the feedback we have received through our regular community engagement.

People’s Power Collective (PPC), a collaborative partner of Sona FM, is a non-profit organization that specializes in Community Radio training, capacity building, and skilling. Over an 18-month period, starting in August 2022, using their custom-designed incubation model, PPC will work with the Sona FM Team which will culminate in a self-sustaining, robust, and people-centred community radio station.

PPC views Community Radio as more than just last-mile information dissemination; rather it is a two-way communication ecosystem that welcomes all stakeholders to engage in progressive dialogue via actionable content.