‘Akashvani Pune’ Evening Programme All Set To Start From Sunday, 7th April

Tikam Shekhawat

Pune, 6th April 2024: After a two-year hiatus, the evening local broadcast of Akashvani Pune Centre is poised to make a triumphant return on April 7. This decision marks a significant victory for Pune’s dedicated Akashvani listeners, who have tirelessly campaigned for the revival of their cherished programming. During its absence, the reduction in local program production by AIR created a void, depriving local artists, intellectuals, and announcers of opportunities. In response, both listeners and local artists in Pune organized protests and consistently voiced their concerns to higher authorities.
Member of Rajya Sabha, Medha Kulkarni, played a pivotal role in voicing the restart of Akashvani and also did a campaign in this regard. Last year, she met Anurag Thakur, the Central Minister of Information and Broadcasting, to highlight the issue and seek necessary intervention.

Speaking to Punekar News, Medha Kulkarni expressed her satisfaction, stating, “I am happy to see that the efforts of Punekars have resulted in the revival and resumption of the Akashvani evening broadcast. I congratulate the Akashvani Team and Punekars for the same. Also, I thank Shri Anurag Thakur ji, for helping Akashvani Radio Listeners with the restart of Akashvani Pune evening Broadcast.”

According to official data from Prasar Bharati, Akashvani’s Pune centre, established in 1953, boasts the highest number of listeners nationwide. However, two years ago, Prasar Bharati directed all Akashvani stations in Maharashtra, including Pune, to halt their evening broadcasts and instead air Mumbai station programs simultaneously. With the revival of the evening broadcast, listeners can once again anticipate enjoying a variety of their favorite local programs, including Yuvvani, Hello Aapli Aavad, Nabhonatya Folk Music, Classical Music, and Family Programs. Indrajit Bagal, Assistant Director of Programmes at the Pune Centre of Akashvani, expressed gratitude for the approval by higher authorities, stating, “We submitted a proposal to seniors, and we are thankful it has been approved.”
The restart of the Akashvani evening Programme signals the imminent return of Pune’s airwaves, reigniting a sense of community connection through regionally crafted content.