CJI DY Chandrachud recalls his days as All India Radio presenter: 'I remember my first programme so vividly'

During his time at AIR, DY Chandrachud hosted a range of shows, including Western music segments.

In a recent interview with All India Radio (AIR), Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud reflected on his journey as an AIR presenter, sharing memories from his youth and his deep connection to the broadcaster’s iconic voices. CJI Chandrachud revealed that his association with AIR began in his early years, listening to bulletins in Hindi, English, and Sanskrit with his parents, sparking a lifelong admiration for the renowned voices of AIR presenters.

In particular, he fondly recalled how Devaki Nandan Pandey’s familiar announcement, “Yeh Akashvani hai; ab aap samachar suniye Devaki Nandan Pandey se,” left an indelible mark on his childhood. His connection to AIR deepened as he listened to other celebrated voices, including Pamela Singh and Lotika Ratnam. He shared his fondness for their “refined voices” and particularly remembered Ratnam’s introduction, “This is All India Radio; the news is read by Lotika Ratnam.”

#CJIonAkashvani - Exclusive InterviewChief Justice of India, Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, nostalgically recalls his treasured days as a presenter at #AllIndiaRadio. He fondly remembers how he would often be engrossed in listening to Hindi, English, and Sanskrit bulletins, a https://t.co/48SLqzQpFn
All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 25, 2024

Chandrachud's personal connection to AIR was strengthened by his mother, a classical musician, who often brought him to the AIR studios in Mumbai when he was in primary school. His interest in broadcasting grew, and in 1975, after moving to Delhi, he auditioned for Akashvani and began presenting on-air. “When I came to Delhi in 1975, I was told that I could audition for Akashvani,” Chandrachud recounted. “I started doing programmes in both Hindi and English. I used to do a lot of programmes in Hindi, and I remember my first programme so vividly even now.”

During his time at AIR, he hosted a range of shows, including Western music segments, which allowed him to engage with diverse audiences. “I also did Western music for All India Radio in those days,” he noted, reflecting on the unique bond that his role at AIR helped him form with audiences and with the broadcaster itself.