‘I remember my first programme’: CJI Chandrachud looks back at his days as All India Radio host | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, recently shared memories of his days as a presenter in an interview with All India Radio (AIR).
Recalling how he grew up listening to AIR bulletins in Hindi, English, and Sanskrit with his parents and eventually becoming a part of Akashvani himself.
Reflecting on his childhood, CJI Chandrachud spoke about being captivated by the renowned voices of news presenters.
“The famous voice of Devaki Nandan Pandey would announce, ‘Yeh Akashvani hai; ab aap samachar suniye Devaki Nandan Pandey se,’” he recounted.

He also admired the refined voices of Pamela Singh and Lotika Ratnam, recalling their iconic introductions, “This is All India Radio; the news is read by Lotika Ratnam.”
Speaking about his connection to AIR, CJI Chandrachud shared that his mother, a classical musician, would often bring him to the Mumbai studios when he was in the third or fourth grade.
Later, when he moved to Delhi in 1975, he auditioned for Akashvani and began presenting in both Hindi and English. “But my own personal association with All India radio, my mother was a classical musician so I have visited these studios in Mumbai with my mother as a young third or 4th standard child. When I came to Delhi in 1975 I was told that I could audition for Akashvani and I started doing programmes in both Hindi and English. I used to do a lot of programmes in Hindi I remember my first programme so vividly even now. I also did Western music for All India Radio in those days.”
Chandrachud further spoke about how he used to host Western music shows for AIR during that time, building a unique bond with the iconic broadcaster.