Every year on July 23rd National Broadcasting Day is celebrated in India. The prime aim behind commemorating this occasion is to mark the first-ever radio broadcast in India that went on air from the Bombay station, which was under the Indian Broadcasting Company in the year 1927.
But the history of radio broadcasting in India is even 4 years older than the IBC. The first ever radio broadcast in India was done in the year 1923 under the initiative of the 'Radio Club of Bombay.'
Historical background of the day:
Radio broadcasting in India started in the year 1922 under the British, which was catered by the Radio Club of Bombay. Later in 1927, IBC was declared a private entity with operation from two stations. After three years of its service, the company was dissolved on March 1, 1930. The government took over it and started the Indian State Broadcasting Services (ISBS) a month later on April 1st, 1930 for two years on an experimental basis.
Eventually, on 8th June 1936, it became All India Radio. When India got its Independence there were a total of six radio stations, Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Tiruchirapalli, and Lucknow. The history of FM broadcasting in the country is 30 years later than ISBS or present-day AIR, which started in Chennai on the same day in 1977.
The importance of National Broadcasting Day:
For decades, Radio has been one of the most vital, prominent, and comprehensive modes of news consumption. In every era, Radio had its importance. Before the independence, the ‘Azad Hind Radio’ under the patronage of Subhash Chandra Bose and ‘Congress Radio’ played an immense crucial role in mobilizing Indians against the British Raj. Whereas the Radio after the independence has its own story of success in contributing to writing India’s story of development.
Where does AIR stand today?
At present All India Radio (Akashvani) is the world’s largest radio network across the globe with 479 stations all over the country. The AIR network covers 92% of the area with whopping accessibility to 99.19% of Indians. With the progressive aim of ‘Bahujan Hitaya: Bahujan Sukhaya’ AIR is providing its services to the people in over 23 languages and 179 dialects.