National Broadcasting Day 2023: Honouring India’s Radio Heritage

National Broadcasting Day is observed on July 23 every year in India to commemorate the impact of radio on people’s lives. It marks the beginning of organized radio broadcasts in the country by All India Radio (AIR), which served as the sole broadcasting medium before the advent of television.

In 1927, the India Broadcasting Company became the first radio company in India, but it faced liquidation within three years. Subsequently, All India Radio (AIR), initially known as the Indian Broadcasting Service, was established in April 1930 and later rebranded as All India Radio on June 8.

Beautiful memories, stories and facts..

Let's celebrate this #NationalBroadcastingDay together.

A wonderful thread for all of you..

(1/n) pic.twitter.com/Yk6ZiZqrp3

— Akashvani आकाशवाणी (@AkashvaniAIR) July 23, 2023

The iconic Akashvani tune, composed by Indian Jewish refugee Walter Kauffman in 1930, has become synonymous with AIR. The name “Akashvani,” meaning “voice from the skies,” was officially adopted in 1956, inspired by a poem by Rabindranath Tagore.

By the time of India’s Independence, AIR had six radio stations in major cities, but it wasn’t until July 23, 1977, that broadcasting began in Chennai.

Throughout its existence, All India Radio (Akashvani) has played a vital role in informing, educating, and entertaining the masses, living up to its motto – ‘Bahujan Hitaya, Bahujana Sukhaya’, according to AIR.