Khansa Saleem
Akashvani or the All India Radio is the national public radio broadcaster of India.Established in 1939,it is the sister service of Doordarshan. Sustaining for decades,it has been serving to inform, educate and entertain the masses.It serves a large spectrum of socio-economic and cultural diversity,in terms of multiple languages and it’s home service comprising of 479 stations.AIR is veritably one of India’s most eminent media platforms.
For my parents and grandparents,AIR meant something more than just a radio but rather it was their initial step into the realm of media.From hearing the local news early in the morning to film songs and various programs, tuning all day along,Akashvani was the entertainment piece in my family’s life.My parents told me that they would wait for sundays to arrive so they could listen to dramas and special programs.And i was informed that my beloved late grandfather had participated in one drama that aired in our local area.For the mass,AIR was the escape from daily mundane ongoings and a glimpse into a nationwide network of interaction, information, and interests.
With the privilege of having the best of technology and accessibility to information and entertainment,for me and my generation,AIR might not seem that astounding or relevant.But after speaking to my parents,i can truly understand how much AIR meant to them and their generation.How it played the significant role in bringing the masses together through broadcasting and how it cultivated public consciousness and awareness among the people.Whether it be news,debates, music and drama, Akashvani was the Indian folk’s first and adored platform that introduced them to the world of media and communication.
No responses yet