Commemorating the Role of All India Radio in Transforming Indian Society

As we commemorate National Broadcasting Day on July 23, we honour All India Radio (AIR), or Akashvani, one of the most influential organisations in Indian society. The Indian Broadcasting Company, a private company, transmitted India's first radio broadcast on this day in 1927 from the Bombay Station. This was the start of a journey that would transform entertainment, education, and national integration in the nation and alter how information was distributed.

The history of Indian broadcasting, from those early attempts in Bombay to the founding of the Indian State Broadcasting Service in 1936 (later renamed All India Radio), reflects the development of contemporary India. The Central News Organisation (CNO) was established in August 1937. AIR was then administratively moved to the Department of Communications, and in 1941 it was finally placed under the Department of Information and Broadcasting. When CNO was divided into the External Services Division (ESD) and the News Services Division (NSD) a year later, AIR's national and international reach expanded.
After officially adopting the iconic name "Akashvani" in 1956, the beloved Vividh Bharati Service started airing popular movie music the following year, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. Each of these achievements demonstrates AIR's flexibility, constantly changing mission, and unwavering dedication to "Bahujana Hitaya, Bahujana Sukhaya" — for the well-being and contentment of many.

Akashvani -The Soul of a Nation

Akashvani has transcended its role as a mere broadcaster; it has served as a friend in Indian households since its official establishment. For millions of Indians, the day commenced with the morning news broadcast and concluded with the gentle melodies of Bhoole Bisre Geet. AIR infiltrated every region of the nation - from isolated Himalayan villages to coastal settlements in Kerala. For decades, it was the sole media that directly delivered news, music, education, and drama into households.

 
Its omnipresence in every household contributed to forming a national identity, particularly after independence, when India emerged from the trauma of partition and the struggle of unifying a diverse population. AIR acted as an essential tool for nation-building during that period and continues its legacy even today. Its multilingual programming served as a conduit for India's diversity, fostering a sense of belonging and a shared cultural identity.

The Radio as a Classroom and Cultural Archive

One of AIR's most significant contributions lies in its role as an educator. At a time when formal education was beyond the reach of many, especially in rural India, the radio acted as a classroom. For students, it offered language, mathematics, and science lessons, thereby supporting formal education systems. It also acts as a career guidance channel.

For farmers, AIR provided agricultural tips, market updates, and weather forecasts.

Even today, AIR remains one of the best media to learn a language. The clarity, diction, and brevity with which news and programmes are delivered are unmatched. In the age of AI-driven applications, podcasts, and YouTube tutorials, the spoken word of AIR retains a human warmth and precision that no machine can replicate.

AIR's role as an aural archive of modern India is equally significant, preserving the voices of the nation's most iconic figures. From Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Sarojini Naidu to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Jagadish Chandra Bose, and Vikram Sarabhai, Akashvani has safeguarded the soundscape of India's intellectual, political, and cultural legacy. These are not merely recordings—they are time capsules, echoing a nation's emotions, aspirations, and convictions in transition.

Through AIR, we do not merely read history; we hear it come alive. Monumental moments in Indian history were broadcast through this medium — from Jawaharlal Nehru's iconic "Tryst with Destiny" speech on August 14, 1947, to his moving extemporaneous address on January 30, 1948, announcing Mahatma Gandhi's assassination with the unforgettable line, "The light has gone out of our lives." These broadcasts reached every corner of the country, offering a sense of unity, immediacy, and shared national emotion.

This tradition of intimate leadership communication continues even today. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, uses AIR to connect directly with the citizens, reaffirming radio's enduring power as a collective reflection and dialogue medium.

Spreading Scientific Temper through Sound Waves

AIR's lesser-known but deeply significant contribution has been in popularising science and rational thinking. At a time when scientific literacy was low and superstitions rampant, AIR launched science radio serials broadcast in different languages and a radio science magazine such as "Radioscope" , which popularised science among the masses. These programmes not only acted as a knowledge resource,  but also inspired a generation of future scientists. AIR provided a platform for institutions like DST, ISRO, CSIR, and NCERT to reach out to the public, communicate research, and counter pseudoscience with verified knowledge.

This legacy continues to be relevant, especially in our current age of misinformation. With its trustworthy and verified news services, AIR plays a vital role in fostering scientific temper, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

AIR's Artistic and Cultural Footprint

In addition to covering news and science, AIR has a long history of airing radio dramas, music, and stories. An institution in and of itself, AIR's Drama Division has a legendary track record of producing thousands of plays of the highest calibre that address pressing social concerns of our day. Voice, music, and sound effects were the only means by which AIR's talented artists brought the characters to life, compelling the audience to engage in imaginative play in the absence of graphics.

Launched in 1957, the Vividh Bharati Service quickly became the beating heart of popular culture in India. With the help of legendary radio hosts whose voices became instantly recognisable, it produced and broadcast popular shows including "Hawa Mahal," "Sangeet Sarita," "Jaimala," and "Aap Ki Farmaish," which featured film music. Inspiring emotional and cultural continuity between generations, these concerts were constant companions for border guards, hostel students, and field workers.

Reinventing Relevance in the Digital Age

With the arrival of television in the 1980s and the internet in the 2000s, radio, especially public broadcasting, was expected to fade away. Yet, AIR displayed remarkable resilience and adaptability. The launch of FM channels gave new energy to urban and semi-urban listenership. Services like FM Rainbow and FM Gold cater to younger audiences with contemporary content, interviews, and interactive programmes.

Today, AIR has also embraced digital platforms. Its mobile apps (NewsOnAir) , podcasts, and YouTube channels ensure that the wisdom of the past is accessible to digital natives. Programmes are now available on-demand, and classical archives are being digitised to preserve them for future generations.

Most importantly, AIR has retained its journalistic integrity in a media landscape often plagued by sensationalism and corporate influence. Its News Services Division (NSD) continues to offer balanced, factual, and multilingual news, making it a credible alternative for those seeking authentic information.

A Symbol of Continuity and Credibility

Perhaps the most enduring legacy of AIR is its emotional connection with the people of India. Whether it was the announcement of India's independence in 1947, the tragic assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, or the jubilant cricket commentary from Sharjah in the 1990s — AIR has been a witness and a narrator of our national story.

In times of crisis and celebration, people turned to Akashvani. It is one of the few media platforms that reached across class, caste, gender, and geography. Its simplicity, reliability, and accessibility made it democratic in the truest sense.

Celebrating the Voice of the Nation

On National Broadcasting Day, let us commemorate the history of radio in India and reaffirm our dedication to conserving and enriching its heritage. AIR is not a relic of the past; it is a living, evolving institution that continues to serve the nation with sincerity and purpose.

The motto "Bahujana Hitaya, Bahujana Sukhaya" retains its significance now, just as it did at its inception. AIR exemplifies depth, dignity, and public service amidst a landscape dominated by transient trends and algorithmic content.

Akashvani has been — and must continue to be — the voice of the people, the archive of our memories, and the bridge between tradition and transformation. As long as that voice continues to echo through our airwaves, the spirit of India will continue to resonate with clarity, hope, and unity.

(Dr. Biju Dharmapalan is  the Dean -Academic Affairs, Garden City University, Bangalore  and   an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies,  Bangalore, E-mail: bijudharmapalan@gmail.com)