"Nation shall speak peace unto nation", thus spake Mr. Lionel Fielden, the first Controller General of Broadcasting, All India Radio while inaugurating on 1st October, 1939 the first external service in Pushto directed to the then North West Frontier Province (NWFP). After India attained independence, AIR continues to be guided by the same principle in reaching out to listeners abroad, including India's neighbors.
Over the years, the External Services Division of All India Radio has been striving to reflect, through its broadcasts, the ideas and achievements of India as an open society and modern, vibrant democracy. It also showcases the country's rich cultural heritage in all its variegated hues. In short, All India Radio through its external services, 28 in all, serves as the emissary extraordinaire.Under the dynamic leadership of the Hon'ble Minister for Information & Broadcasting, the Ministry and Prasar Bharati, AIR is poised to strengthen its global outreach through digital platforms besides terrestrial dissemination.
Today's event coincides with Gandhi Jayanti, a day of utmost significance for India in particular and peace lovers across the globe in general. The External Broadcast Day, this time, has a captivating theme 'Gandhi's Vision of Global Peace'.
I once again extend a warm welcome to all of you for having honoured us with your benign presence on the 80th anniversary of external broadcast by All India Radio and also on the occasion of the launch of the year-long celebration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation."
Source : All India Radio - Akashvani