Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 77/25

AKASHVANI CELEBRATES NATIONAL BROADCASTING DAY WITH GRAND NORTHE MUSIC CONCERT IN SHILLONG

Akashvani North Eastern Service today organised a grand cultural event, North East Music Concert, at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong, to commemorate National Broadcasting Day. The event was graced by the Director General of Akashvani, Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, along with senior dignitaries and officials from All India Radio and Doordarshan.

The event was also attended by Dr. B.D.R. Tiwari, Commissioner and Secretary to Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Ashish Bhatnagar, Additional Director General, AIR and Doordarshan North East, and senior members of the broadcasting fraternity. In her keynote address, Dr. Gaur highlighted the significance of July 23 as the day when radio broadcasting began in India in 1927. She remarked, this day is not only a celebration of our glorious legacy, but also a reaffirmation of our vision for the future of public broadcasting.

Dr. Gaur emphasised Akashvanis renewed approach to remain relevant and future ready, citing initiatives like the NewsOnAir mobile app and the recently launched OTT platform Waves, which offers live and archival content from across Akashvani channels. Touching upon the broadcasters core values, Dr. Gaur stated, In an age of fleeting headlines and rapid news cycles, Akashvani continues to be a beacon of trust, credibility, and balanced reporting. She added that public broadcasting remains a national responsibility carried with pride and commitment.

Radio is the voice of God, Mahatma Gandhi once remarked, recognising its unmatched power to connect people. Echoing this vision on National Broadcasting Day, Ashish Bhatnagar, ADG of Akashvani and Doordarshan, Northeast Zone, said, Akashvani and Doordarshan remain committed to preserving Indias cultural identity. He emphasised that radio has empowered communities across India, especially in the Northeast, by broadcasting in diverse dialects and languages. What makes Akashvani truly unique, he noted, is its deep bond with grassroots voices, carrying the soul of the nation through inclusive and public-spirited broadcasting.

A major highlight of the event was a musical showcase representing the cultural vibrance of the Ashtalakshmi states of Northeast India, featuring performances by leading bands from the region, Jayanta Jamatia Tripura, Lungleng Trio Mizoram, Joes Apartment Sikkim, Rupam and Friends Assam, Innocent Eyes Manipur, AR Folk Arunachal Pradesh, Fifth Note Nagaland, and Summersalt Meghalaya. These performances captivated the audience with a rich mix of traditional and contemporary musical expressions, celebrating the Northeasts cultural diversity.

Applauding the artists, Dr. Gaur remarked that the Northeast is a musical microcosm of India, where unity in diversity finds its most vibrant voice through music. The cultural event is scheduled to be telecast on DD Bharati, bringing the celebration to audiences across the nation. Concluding her address, Dr. Gaur extended her warm greetings to all on National Broadcasting Day and expressed hope that Akashvanis connection with listeners in the Northeast, especially the youth, will continue to deepen.

The event reflected a unique confluence of legacy and modernity, reaffirming Akashvanis enduring role as the Voice of the Nation.