Shillong, July 23 : Akashvani North Eastern Service, Shillong, today marked National Broadcasting Day with a spectacular “North East Music Concert” at the U Soso Tham Auditorium. The event, attended by Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Director General of Akashvani, along with senior dignitaries, celebrated the 98th anniversary of radio broadcasting in India and showcased the rich cultural tapestry of the Northeastern states.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Gaur emphasized the historical significance of July 23rd, 1927, when radio broadcasting first began in India. “This day is not only a celebration of our glorious legacy, but also a reaffirmation of our vision for the future of public broadcasting,” she stated.
In an age dominated by rapid news cycles, Dr. Gaur highlighted Akashvani’s enduring role as “a beacon of trust, credibility, and balanced reporting.” She affirmed that public broadcasting remains a national responsibility, carried out with immense pride and commitment.
To remain relevant and future-ready, Dr. Gaur pointed to Akashvani’s innovative strides, including the popular NewsOnAir mobile app and the recently launched OTT platform ‘Waves’. These initiatives offer audiences live and archival content, ensuring Akashvani’s rich programming is accessible across diverse digital platforms.
A major highlight of the celebration was the “North East Music Concert,” which featured captivating performances by leading bands from all eight Northeastern states. The audience was enthralled by the diverse mix of traditional and contemporary musical expressions from : Jayanta Jamatia (Tripura), Lungleng Trio (Mizoram), Joe’s Apartment (Sikkim), Rupam & Friends (Assam), Innocent Eyes (Manipur), AR Folk (Arunachal Pradesh), Fifth Note (Nagaland), Summersalt (Meghalaya). Applauding the artists, Dr. Gaur remarked that the Northeast truly is “a musical microcosm of India, where unity in diversity finds its most vibrant voice through music.”
Dr. B.D.R. Tiwari, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya, and Ashish Bhatnagar, Additional Director General, AIR & Doordarshan North East, also graced the event. Echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s sentiment that “Radio is the voice of God Bhatnagar underscored Akashvani and Doordarshan’s unwavering commitment to preserving India’s cultural identity. He emphasized radio’s profound impact in empowering communities, particularly in the North East, by broadcasting in diverse dialects and languages, fostering a deep connection with grassroots voices.
The cultural performances from today’s event are slated for telecast on DD Bharati, extending the vibrant celebration to audiences nationwide. Dr. Gaur concluded her address by expressing hope for a continued deepening of Akashvani’s bond with its listeners in the Northeast, especially the youth, reaffirming Akashvani’s enduring role as the “Voice of the Nation.”
