Nepal's Radio Triyuga revives Indigenous languages with expanded news and culture shows

Radio Triyuga 104 FM, a community station in Nepal, has brought back Indigenous language broadcasts and widened its news services. The move follows a project aimed at reviving local languages and expanding community outreach. Daily programming now includes more hours and a richer mix of news content.

Before the project, the station had cut its broadcast time from 18 to just 10 hours a day. Indigenous-language news shows in Magar, Rai, Tharu, and Tamang were also halted due to funding shortages. The new initiative, Reviving Indigenous Languages Through Community Radio and Expanding News Service, secured flexible funding to restore and expand these services.

The station now airs 12 hours of content daily, up from 10. Programmes include news, talk shows, language lessons, and cultural segments. Regular news broadcasts in Magar, Rai, Tharu, and Tamang have resumed, helping preserve these languages and traditions.

Community consultations shaped the new programming to match the interests of different age groups. Storytelling sessions with fluent speakers, Elders, and cultural experts were held to record oral histories and traditional knowledge. These efforts ensure that younger generations stay connected to their heritage.

The project also invested in new equipment, including two desktop computers, to improve production quality. Four Indigenous youth received training to become news producers, ensuring the station's future sustainability.

The revival of Radio Triyuga has strengthened cultural pride in the communities it serves. More broadcast hours and multilingual news programming now help share knowledge across generations. The station's expanded reach and improved resources ensure its role in preserving Indigenous languages and traditions for years to come.