AIR observes 88th anniversary of India’s first radio broadcast

Commemorating the 88th anniversary of the first radio broadcast in the country last week, All India Radio organised a symposium at the National Media Centre on the theme: “New India’s writing/creation and broadcasting medium”.

The symposium was inaugurated by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mr Rajyavardhan Rathore. He said that All India Radio does neutral reporting and the work of Prasar Bharati cannot be compared with any other organisation.

The other speakers at the event were Dr. A. Surya Prakash, Chairman, Prasar Bharati; Jawahar Sircar, CEO Prasar Bharati; Tarun Vijay, BJP Member of Parliament; Amit Baruah, Resident Editor of The Hindu; Eminent professor and writer, Dr. Anamika; Social Media expert Pranjal Sharma and Veteran broadcaster Madhukar Upadhyay.

All of them referred to the glorious contributions of All India Radio, but at the same time, highlighted the need to change and adjust to a fiercely competitive media and broadcasting market. They called for adapting with new technology and to move ahead.

Dr. A. Surya Prakash, Chairman Prasar Bharati, said, ” Prasar Bharati is going to be the effective vehicle in delivering welfare messages and bringing in a change”.

Jawhar Sircar, CEO, Prasar Bharati said, “Emotional unity has happened to a large extent with the help of our national broadcaster.” He also said, “Classical music was drilled into our senses through Akashvani.”

On July 23, 1927, the first broadcast was done by the Bombay Radio Club and the welcome session was addressed by then Chairman of Indian Broadcasting Company, Sir Ibrahim Rahimtoolahad, at Radio House in Apollo Bunder, Bombay. It got the name Akashvani in September 1935, when broadcasting began in the princely State of Mysore.

Finally, on June 8, 1936, the name All India Radio was given to the Public Service Broadcaster.