The Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s decision to ring the curtains on the regional news unit of the All-India Radio in Pune has provoked a surge of opposition from political parties, while also evoking a sharp tinge of nostalgic regret among local populace.
Prior to the onslaught of 24X7 television news, the AIR’s Marathi news was a popular and eagerly anticipated segment. For many across the State, the AIR Pune’s (Akashwani) 10-minute iconic morning broadcast in Marathi at precisely 7:10 every morning acted as the guide to important events not only in Maharashtra, but across the country as well.
Other than Pune, the Ministry has decided to similarly shut the vernacular units in the cities of Allahabad, Bhuj, Dibrugarh, Indore, Dharwad and Coimbatore as well.
The reason, as given on the Ministry’s website, happens to be the relocation of the two key news producing personnel of the regional unit of AIR Pune.
The regional news unit of AIR Pune began broadcasting from 1975. It had a deputy director of news and a news editor, besides employing eight reporters on contract basis. According to AIR Pune officials, the Ministry has not provided a replacement for the news director and editor, which would effectively render the vernacular news production impossible.
“The Marathi bulletin will stop broadcasting as the two key members are being shifted. We are awaiting further directives from the I & B Ministry on this count,” said Ravindra Khasnis, station director, AIR, Pune.
Both the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have protested the closure.
“We are planning to raise this issue in the Rajya Sabha and take up the matter with the I & B Ministry. We have already discussed the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has promised to look into the subject,” said Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe.
The Pune Congress unit has threatened an agitation if the Ministry did not take back its decision.
“The AIR Pune station and its Marathi news broadcast is a culturally significant part of Marathi heritage and culture. Lakhs of people have grown up on the iconic morning bulletin. Our party stands in solidarity with the AIR Pune officials and strongly condemns the I & B Ministry’s move,” said MNS Pune unit chief Ajay Shinde.
