From Now on it is Only “Akashvani”, No More “All India Radio”

New Delhi: National broadcaster Prasar Bharati has directed all concerned departments to ensure that All India Radio is referred to only as “Akashvani”. This major move in the history of the official radio service of India comes in accordance with the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990.

Apart from the official order, the policy division of the Prasar Bharati on Wednesday sent a message to all station heads saying as per the stationary provision of the act, the radio vertical of Prasar Bharti is officially known as Akashvani. All station heads were instructed to use the term Akashvani “wherever applicable in all announcements going on air.

“..Further the term, Akashvani may be used invariably in all official communication. Accordingly, the announcement in English should go like..’this is akashvani in place of this is All India Radio’ and the pattern be followed in other languages with immediate effect,” said the order.

The order issued by Prasar Bharati said that Section 2(a) of the PB Act that came into force on November 15, 1997, says that “Akashvani” means all the offices, stations, and other establishments which are or were under the Director-General All India Radio of the Information & Broadcasting Ministry.