The 7th Edition of The Radio Festival commemorates 100 Years of Radio

During his Keynote Address, Mr. Jaju discussed the crucial role that community radios serve as a means of communication at the grassroots level. “In my experience at the government ministry, it is the programs that incorporate the feedback from the ground that have the most impact, and I believe that community radios have played a huge role in this regard,” he said.

Ms Sekhar emphasised the impact of linguistic diversity in her address. “It intrigues everybody on the kind of expanse and diversity of the Indian nation, in terms of languages. In 2024, we completed 100 years of radio in India, and I congratulate you all on this long journey. Wherever knowledge has been imparted, people have prospered through their mother tongue, and that is the significance of media and language.”

Various panels delved into the fascinating journey of radio spanning a century, exploring its profound impact on life, love, and society. Topics ranged from the role of women in radio to the evolution of language and expression, and the celebration of diversity in broadcasting. Esteemed figures from All India Radio (AIR), private commercial radios, and community radios underscored the significance of local languages and dialects in fostering meaningful audience engagement. They reminisced about the medium’s rich history and cultural diversity. With over 300 attendees, the event buzzed with thought-provoking panels, discussions, deliberations, and captivating performances.

Renowned theatre artists Mr Salim Arif and Ms Rama Pandey, veterans of radio Ms Ritu Rajput and Ms Suchitra Gupta and literary critic Ms Rakhshanda Jalil captivated the audience by displaying their mastery over language in the panel, ‘Casting A Spell with Words’. Ms Rama Pandey, Radio Journalist, Producer & Director, said, “Words can bring people together and make relationships and radio facilitates this interplay.”