Shillong, May 24: A grand Musical Evening was organised at the State Convention Hall in Shillong on Friday to commemorate 90 years of Akashvani’s service to the nation as a public broadcaster.
The programme was jointly organised by Akashvani Shillong and Akashvani North Eastern Services (NES) and featured performances by several prominent artists and bands from Meghalaya.
The event showcased Khasi folk songs by Balahpynhun Mawlong and party, Garo folk songs by Ahowee Folk Band and Jaintia folk songs by Seinraij Art & Culture Group. The evening also featured western songs by noted musician Shirley Passah and Hindi songs by Ribhakupar Shadap, winner of the Modern Folk category in the NE Body Can Sing talent hunt organised by Akashvani stations across the Northeast in 2016.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, described the occasion as a major milestone and highlighted Akashvani’s enduring role as a trusted public broadcaster.
“It is a major milestone. Akashvani covers more than 90 per cent of the geographical area of India. Amid the many choices that we have in terms of broadcast, print, electronic and online media, there is more trust in Akashvani’s news because they provide reliable and durable news,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat programme, Kharkongor said Akashvani continues to provide an important platform connecting citizens across the country while also bringing visibility to Meghalaya and the Northeast.
He further credited Akashvani and Doordarshan for nurturing budding talents and musicians by providing them platforms to reach audiences across the state and beyond.
“As you celebrate 90 years, kindly continue the good work and continue to bring value, visibility and voice to artists, to news and to the world at large,” he added.
Assistant Director (Engineering), Akashvani Shillong, Antony War welcomed the gathering, while Assistant Director (Programme), Akashvani NES Shillong, Evelyn Khongsit delivered the vote of thanks.
Among those present at the programme were Zonal Director of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (Northeast Zone), Dr Munish Singh, and Shri S.K. Deohare, DDG Admin, ADG Office, Admin & Broadcast Operations, North East Zone, along with several dignitaries and artistes.
