Public Service Broadcasting Day is annually observed across India on 12th November to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s first and only visit to All India Radio(AIR) in Delhi in 1947.
Public Service Broadcasting Day is also known as Jan Prasaran Diwas.
Note:
i.During his visit to AIR he addressed the refugees from Pakistan camping in Kurukshetra in Haryana whom he could not personally visit.
ii.A snippet of his speech is played on 12th November as a mark of respect and tribute to him.
Background:
i.On 17th November 1947, Mahatma Gandhi visited the AIR Studios at Broadcasting House, New Delhi, Delhi to address the refugees (from Pakistan) who were camped in Kurukshetra, Haryana following the partition.
ii.On 12th November 1997, an event was organised at the AIR premises to commemorate the 50 years of Gandhi’s visit to AIR studios.
iii.In 2001, the 12th November was officially declared Public Service Broadcasting Day.
- The day was conceptualised by Suhas Borker, Convenor, Jan Prasar.
About All India Radio(AIR):
All India Radio is a Public Service Broadcaster of India and the Radio vertical of Prasar Bharati.
Terrestrially, AIR originates programming in 23 languages and 179 dialects.
AIR’s home service comprises of 470 Broadcasting centres located across the country, covering nearly 92% of the country’s area and 99.19 % of the total population.
Director General– Vasudha Gupta
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
