Rajendra Negi

Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Project: Radio Henvalvani,
Reviving endangered languages and environmental leadership in mountain villages through community radio

Rajendra Singh Negi is an an environmental crusader, Van Sarpanch, farmer, beekeeper, electrician, journalist and storyteller based in the Tehri-Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. In 2001, he set up Radio Henvalvani, a pioneering community radio initiative, to foster people-led ecological action and cultural revival in the remote mountain villages of Uttarakhand.

For over 25 years, Radio Henvalvani has forged connections across 700 remote Himalayan villages through interactive community-led radio programs that range from environmental disaster response to educational content to telemedicine initiatives, to programs on farms and food systems, poetry, music, and language contests.

With 400+ community storytellers and content creators, Radio Henvalvani has built a dedicated listenership of 250,000 individuals in Uttarakhand and a 25,000-strong audience globally.

By creating a rich living archive of community narratives in local languages, Henvalvani has successfully ensured the widespread use of Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Jaunsari – languages declared endangered by UNESCO. Its widely popular programs have opened up intergenerational dialogues among children, youth, and elders on their unique language traditions.

Henvalvani’s radio programs have led to multiple on-ground events organized for and by its listeners, fostering solidarities between farmers, local intellectuals, artists, activists, educators, students, and homemakers across generations. Negi is now partnering with the state government to build an enabling policy ecosystem for other community radio programs to flourish.

“The roots of positive changes from self will reach the community through society. Similarly, ORA will make me stronger in achieving my goals with firmness and conviction, on the ground. I am humbled with this recognition, nurturing and encouragement for my novel and passionate efforts.”

Follow along with Rajendra on Instagram at @henvalvanicr, @rajendrasinghneg or on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/henvalvani-community
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajendra-negi-4407393a/