Legacy of Radio Broadcasting in India

Source: News on Air

Context: India celebrates National Broadcasting Day to mark the first-ever radio broadcast from the Bombay Station of the Indian Broadcasting Company in 1927.

About Legacy of Radio Broadcasting in India:

• Humble Beginnings: The Birth of Broadcasting

• India’s radio journey began with amateur radio clubs in Calcutta (1923) and Madras (1924), long before state intervention. On July 23, 1927, the Bombay station aired India’s first formal broadcast, under the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC).

• India’s radio journey began with amateur radio clubs in Calcutta (1923) and Madras (1924), long before state intervention.

• On July 23, 1927, the Bombay station aired India’s first formal broadcast, under the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC).

• Colonial Experiments and Failures:

• IBC failed financially and was taken over by the British government in 1930 as the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS). In 1936, ISBS was restructured and renamed All India Radio (AIR), placed under the Department of Labour and Industries.

• IBC failed financially and was taken over by the British government in 1930 as the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS).

• In 1936, ISBS was restructured and renamed All India Radio (AIR), placed under the Department of Labour and Industries.

• Institutional Milestones Post-Independence:

• Akashvani was formally adopted as the national broadcaster’s name in 1956. Vividh Bharati was launched in 1957, featuring popular entertainment and film music. AIR had just 6 stations in 1947, covering 2.5% of India’s area and 11% of population.

• Akashvani was formally adopted as the national broadcaster’s name in 1956.

• Vividh Bharati was launched in 1957, featuring popular entertainment and film music.

• AIR had just 6 stations in 1947, covering 2.5% of India’s area and 11% of population.

• AIR’s Role in National Development:

• Used for nation-building: literacy drives, health campaigns, and agricultural awareness, especially in rural India. Played a key role during freedom struggle, countering British propaganda and fostering unity. Supported cultural preservation through folk music, classical programs, and national news services.

• Used for nation-building: literacy drives, health campaigns, and agricultural awareness, especially in rural India.

• Played a key role during freedom struggle, countering British propaganda and fostering unity.

• Supported cultural preservation through folk music, classical programs, and national news services.

• External Services & International Outreach:

• In 1939, external broadcasting began in Pashto and Afghan languages to counter Axis propaganda. Today, the External Services Division airs programs in 11 Indian and 16 foreign languages, reaching over 100 countries.

• In 1939, external broadcasting began in Pashto and Afghan languages to counter Axis propaganda.

• Today, the External Services Division airs programs in 11 Indian and 16 foreign languages, reaching over 100 countries.