Celebrating World Radio Day with Ameen Sayani

The United Nations declared the theme of ‘Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace’ this World Radio Day, in order to celebrate the impact the radios have made in pursuit of a peaceful and tolerant world. And as the world celebrated World Radio Day, at an event in the city

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and Penguin

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India launched Rakesh Anand Bakshi’s new book, Let’s Talk On-Air. It was officially unveiled by Padma Shri Piyush Pan dey and the esteemed radio announcer Ameen Sayani.

At this event, Ameen Sayani spoke on his journey as a radio presenter and started with the iconic and familiar beheno aur bhaiyo- "I have had a lot of successes in my life but all these successes have been filled with so many setbacks and failures which you will see through my articles and books. But the important thing is to look at all the successes!" Talking about his life in radio he added, “I have had a lot of successes in my life but all these successes have been filled with so many setbacks and failures which you will see through my articles and books. if someone who listens to your problems and still doesn't do anything about it, it’s your road go on and walk it alone. But the important thing is to look at all the successes!"

Speaking on the occasion, Maulik Desai, Head, of the bookstore chain says, “It was an honour and a privilege to have two Padma Shri awardees inaugurate Rakesh Anand Bakshi’s book. The radio, for years, has had a common goal of spreading awareness relevant to current events to its listeners, irrespective of their background. We all know about one of the oldest forms of communications but not the faces behind them, ‘Let’s Talk On-Air’, pens down the journey of the 14 most iconic RJs India has seen.”

Talking about his love for radio and the book, Rakesh said, “I found radio presenters to be really interesting people, with stories to tell of themselves and their listeners; I was fascinated by their charming profession and wondered: How did these radio presenters arrive at this profession? Did they all become presenters solely because they loved the songs they played? Or was it because they liked to talk to people? What does it really take to become a radio presenter? I thought many dedicated radio listeners would like to know how their favourite presenters started their journeys.”

Also present at the launch was Kerabai Sargar from Mann Deshi Tarang, a community radio based in Satara- Mhaswad, on who Bakshi writes, "She composes her songs and sings in a bold voice that mesmerizes the listeners." Honoured and elated at her presence, Bakshi said, "She covers topics like water conservation, and female infanticide in Satara.”

Rjs Gaurav Srivastav, Anita Naidu Pawaskar, Apurva Jhadav, Siddharth Mishra are some of the RJs mentioned in the book who were also present.