There was no television when I was growing up. The Radio ruled the roost, and life revolved around its bulletins and slots when film songs were played. The newsreaders were celebrities for their voices. I can tell if Ashok Vajpayee or Devaki Nandan Pande was reading the news. Jasdev Singh was synonymous with Cricket Commentary. Ameen Sayani was a legend for Binaca Geetmala, which was aired by Radio Ceylon every Wednesday from 8 – 9 p.m. People used to mimic their voices and style.  So, when I was invited to speak by the All India Radio (AIR), Hyderabad, it was a dream come true.

The AIR, also known as Akashvani (literally ‘Voice from the sky’ or ‘Oracle’), is India’s state-owned public radio broadcaster. Founded in 1936, it operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as Prasar Bharati Corporation. With more than 400 stations programming in 23 languages and 179 dialects, AIR is the largest radio network in the world in terms of the number of languages broadcast, the socioeconomic diversity it serves, and the scale of its broadcasting organisation.

I recorded the Idea of Yoga, a 20-minute Hindi talk, which was broadcast on June 21, 2023, the 9th International Yoga Day. In it, I described yoga as a practice and philosophy that offers a profound understanding of life and the world, leading to a deeper connection with oneself and reality. The attitude of interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit encourages a way of life that embraces self-acceptance and understanding.