On the eve of Afno FM Dadeldhura’s 19th anniversary, CoRIN’s lead, Vijay Manandhar, set out to meet one of the station’s most devoted listeners. Living with a spinal disability for over a decade, Jamuna—known to radio audiences as “Regina Janaki.”
Confined to her bed, Jamuna spends most of her days alone while her family members are at work or school. In those quiet hours, Afno FM becomes her closest friend. Through a small mobile phone, she tunes in daily, finding comfort in the voices and programs that keep her connected to the outside world. When electricity fails or her phone battery dies, she feels a deep sense of loss, accentuating just how vital the station has become in her life.
To meet her, Vijay and Sagar traveled by motorbike for more than two hours from our Afno FM Dadeldhura station. Along the way, villagers guided them toward her home. At first, no one recognized the name “Janaki,” but when they described her as “the disabled woman who calls the radio station every day,” everyone immediately knew who we meant. In her community, she is Jamuna, but on air and online she introduces herself as Regina Janaki, combining her daughter’s name with her own.
Her brother welcomed them warmly, and soon they were sitting by Jamuna’s side. She greeted them with joy, her small phone tuned to Afno FM. To support her, Vijay presented her with a Sunset Solar Radio—a gift that lit up her face with happiness. For her, this was more than a device; it was an assurance that her connection to Afno FM would remain uninterrupted.
Jamuna’s life changed after a tragic accident while cutting grass. She fell nearly 100 feet from a tree, suffering a severe spinal injury. Instead of immediate medical care, her husband took her to a shaman, whose rituals delayed proper treatment. By the time she reached a hospital, her condition had worsened beyond repair. Because of her physical condition and inability to care for herself, she was eventually forced to seek refuge at her parents’ home leaving her daughter with her husband. Today, her brother takes care of her.
Although Jamuna is married and has a daughter, her disability has kept her from meeting her child face-to-face. To maintain some connection, she occasionally calls her daughter’s school and speaks with her through the teachers. Despite the distance, she holds tightly to the hope of rebuilding their bond and believes that Afno FM can play a role in bridging that distance, giving her a voice and a platform to connect.
Jamuna’s connection to Afno FM is not one of just being a listener; she has been an active participant—calling regularly into live broadcasts. Through various radio programs, she has won many prizes, which she showed Vijay and Sagar with great pride—they symbolize more than recognition for her—they represent inclusion, dignity, and joy.
The visit revealed a profound truth: Afno FM is more than a community radio station. For Jamuna, Afno FM not just entertainment, but companionship, happiness, solace, and hope. In her story, we see the power of radio to transcend entertainment, offering hope and human connection to those who need it most.