On National Broadcasting Day, we are reminded of a unique institution that has silently changed the lives of many -- Akashvani, India’s renowned All India Radio.
Every year on National Broadcasting Day (July 23), we are reminded of a unique institution that has silently changed the lives of generations of Indians. Long before cellphones, social media, satellite television and streaming platforms, there was one trusted voice that entered millions of households with warmth, dignity and integrity – Akashvani, India’s renowned All India Radio (AIR). It was more than a broadcaster. It was a friend, a teacher, a storyteller; the invisible thread that wove together the cultural and emotional fabric of a diverse nation.
In this era of information overload and artificial intelligence, it’s easy to forget how powerful radio once was – and still is. However, to those who grew up on the iconic tagline, ‘Yeh Akashvanihai’ or ‘This is All India Radio’, there was an authenticity in every broadcast and a sense of belonging that few of the contemporary media can match.
The captivating signature tune of All India Radio composed in Raga Shivaranjani by Walter Kaufmann stands as one of the most identifiable auditory signatures in Indian broadcasting. It transcends a mere musical introduction; it serves as a conduit linking India's historical legacy to its prospective trajectory, evoking memories of an establishment that has remained resolute across decades of societal, political, and technical evolution.
Perhaps the greatest strength of radio was that it could ignite the human imagination. Radio required active listening, not television. The words chosen, the pauses, the sounds in the background, all invited the listener to paint a picture in the mind. It sharpened the imagination, the focus, and the emotional involvement in the process. Listening grew into an active intellectual practice, not a passive consumption. That's still one of radio's major educational strengths today.
The contribution of Akashvani to agriculture merits special mention. Radio was the only extension service for millions of farmers, the only accessible, reliable one there was. Agricultural broadcasts provided timely information on improved cultivation practices, weather forecasts, pest management, irrigation practices, crop selection, government initiatives, and market trends. Experts from agricultural universities and research institutes spoke directly to farmers in their native languages, translating scientific knowledge into something they could comprehend and use. The authoritative counsel broadcast over the airwaves benefited production and livelihoods in countless rural communities.” Akashvani was India’s biggest agricultural information network before the era of smartphone applications and digital advisories.
Students, too, owe much to All India Radio. Educational broadcasts transformed classrooms beyond school walls. Many students developed their language skills, pronunciation, and general awareness simply by regularly listening to AIR broadcasts. During times when quality educational material was scarce, Akashvani became an equaliser, ensuring that knowledge travelled beyond urban centres.
Public health communication is yet another chapter in the great legacy of Akashvani. Health programmes taught families about nutrition, maternal and child health, immunisation, sanitation, communicable diseases and preventive health care. During disease epidemics and public health emergencies, radio was a reliable source of confirmed information that helped to counter rumours and disinformation. AIR’s credibility meant that the public had confidence in its health advice, as did experts.
For sports lovers, radio commentary was nothing short of magic. Cricket matches, hockey tournaments, football championships, and Olympic events came alive through passionate commentators whose voices painted vivid pictures of every moment. Their voices painted vivid pictures of each moment. Millions who never saw a cricket stadium celebrated victories and mourned defeats just through radio commentary.
Radio was also a popular form of entertainment for a generation. Radio dramas emphasised the great significance of sound elements, variety of voice, and plot structure. Audiences conjured up whole worlds through dialogue and painstakingly crafted sound effects. Musical performances introduced listeners to legendary musicians, and visitors sent song requests, birthday wishes, festival greetings, and notes to their loved ones with fervour. Radio did more than broadcast material; it created social interaction.
Radio also united the nation during moments of joy and anxiety. National celebrations, Independence Day speeches, Republic Day commentaries, election results, scientific achievements, and major national announcements reached every corner of the country simultaneously. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the islands of the Andaman and Nicobar, Akashvani spoke in numerous languages and dialects while reinforcing a shared Indian identity. Today, digital technology has transformed broadcasting, but Akashvani has adapted remarkably well. Through the AIR News mobile application and digital streaming services, listeners can access radio stations from across India with a simple tap. Few institutions have connected such a culturally diverse nation with equal reach and sensitivity.
The continuing relevance of radio became evident once again with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly programme, Mann Ki Baat, launched in 2014. When many thought radio was dead and buried, the programming breathed new life into the medium and proved that audio transmission could still captivate millions of listeners. The Prime Minister emphasised that radio has special qualities – accessibility, closeness and reach across geographical, language and socio-economic divisions – and said he had chosen to use radio as the main means of connecting directly with the people.
As India celebrates National Broadcasting Day, we must recognise that the true legacy of Akashvani lies not merely in its transmission towers or broadcasting technology but in its humanity. It connected people before the world became digitally connected. It educated without discrimination, informed without sensationalism, entertained without excess, and united a nation through the simple power of the spoken word. Akashvani has never been just a radio network. It has been the heartbeat of India's collective memory—a voice that continues to connect millions, humanely.
Dr. Biju Dharmapalan
(The writer is the Dean, Academic Affairs, Garden City University, Bengaluru and an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. He can be reached at: bijudharmapalan@gmail.com)