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By:

Suhas B Naik-Satam

25 November 2025 at 2:24:38 pm

All India Radio Mumbai: The Voice of a Century

A century of memories, culture and trust that lives in the hearts of millions. Some voices do not remain mere voices; they become witnesses to history. They live on through generations of memories, create a sense of belonging in homes, and become an inseparable part of the collective memory of society. The voice of All India Radio Mumbai is one such voice. 23 July 2026 marks a historic and proud moment in the history of Indian broadcasting. On this day, All India Radio Mumbai enters its...

All India Radio Mumbai: The Voice of a Century

A century of memories, culture and trust that lives in the hearts of millions. Some voices do not remain mere voices; they become witnesses to history. They live on through generations of memories, create a sense of belonging in homes, and become an inseparable part of the collective memory of society. The voice of All India Radio Mumbai is one such voice. 23 July 2026 marks a historic and proud moment in the history of Indian broadcasting. On this day, All India Radio Mumbai enters its centenary year. This is not merely the hundred-year journey of a broadcasting centre; it is a glorious chapter in the cultural evolution of Maharashtra, the bond of trust created with people, and the dissemination of knowledge and ideas. 23 July is celebrated as Indian Broadcasting Day. On this day, organised broadcasting services began in India, marking the beginning of a new era in the country’s communication landscape. In those early years, radio was not merely a technological medium; it was a powerful tool that connected the nation, shaped thoughts and provided a platform for culture. In today’s digital age, the means of communication have undergone a remarkable transformation. Mobile phones, the internet and various digital platforms have enabled information to reach across the world within moments. Yet, the importance of radio continues to remain unique. This is because radio is not merely an experience of sound; it is a dialogue of emotions and trust. The warmth of the announcer’s voice, the identity of programmes, the melodies of music and the rich tradition of ideas have helped All India Radio Mumbai create a lasting place in the hearts of listeners. Mumbai is not only the economic centre of the country but also a vibrant cultural capital. Numerous streams of literature, music, theatre, cinema and art have flourished from this city. All India Radio Mumbai played a significant role in bringing these diverse cultural expressions to households. By taking the thoughts of Marathi writers, the voices of musicians, the imagination of playwrights and the talent of artists to listeners, the centre became an inspiring platform for many. The countless voices broadcast from the studios of All India Radio Mumbai remain alive in the memories of listeners. The melodies of भावगीत (lyrical Marathi songs), classical music concerts, powerful performances of dramatic readings, literary interviews and various cultural programmes enriched the cultural life of Maharashtra. For many artists, All India Radio became their first major platform, helping their talent gain recognition and reach a wider audience. The contribution of All India Radio has never been limited to entertainment. Through the threefold approach of information, education and entertainment, the medium has consistently contributed to social awareness and public enlightenment. It has played an important role in promoting education, creating social awareness and developing a scientific outlook among people. An important chapter in this tradition is the establishment of the Science Cell in 1976. The cell was created with the objective of bringing developments in science and technology to ordinary listeners in a simple, understandable and engaging manner. At that time, science was often considered a field restricted mainly to experts. Encouraging a scientific outlook among society, bringing new discoveries and concepts in science to common citizens, and nurturing curiosity among students were important needs of the era. The Science Cell of All India Radio Mumbai fulfilled this responsibility effectively. Through science news, expert interviews, discussions, educational programmes for students and initiatives explaining the science behind everyday life, the Science Cell brought the light of knowledge to the common people. By presenting information on subjects such as space research, the environment, health, agriculture, energy and technology in an accessible language, the cell created a rich tradition of science communication. The journey of science communication that began in 1976 remains an important milestone in the centenary journey of All India Radio Mumbai. Along with music, literature and culture, All India Radio also gave science an important place in social life. The effort to promote scientific thinking and encourage curiosity about knowledge has become even more significant in today’s information-driven era. In its century-long journey, All India Radio Mumbai has not merely broadcast programmes; it has woven an invisible thread connecting memories, emotions, knowledge and culture with society. That is why the voice of All India Radio Mumbai continues to be a symbol of trust, warmth and cultural identity for millions of listeners. As All India Radio Mumbai stands at the threshold of its centenary year, may this remarkable journey of voices continue to illuminate the path of knowledge, culture and communication for many more decades to come. (The writer is the Chief Executive at the National Centre for Science Communicators, Mumbai. Views personal.)

Climate Justice

For decades, the legal scaffolding that might hold nations accountable for climate inaction has been weak, vague or simply non-existent. Hopefully, that may now change following a major advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ principal judicial organ. The advisory opinion strengthens the legal muscle behind the fight against climate change.

 

It is a milestone not merely because it defines more clearly what states must do but because it recognises the climate emergency as a legal problem instead of just a scientific or political one. The court concluded that the obligation to combat climate change is rooted not just in treaties like the Paris Agreement but also in customary international law, meaning those states that have shunned climate pacts cannot be excused anymore.

 

This is a welcome development. For too long, international climate diplomacy has resembled a club with few rules and even fewer consequences. By framing climate inaction as a breach of binding international obligations, the ICJ’s ruling opens the door to new avenues of enforcement and redress.

 

The opinion is not legally binding. But advisory opinions from the ICJ carry considerable moral and legal weight. States will now have to act not only out of moral imperative but legal duty to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, to adapt to the impact of climate change and to provide financial and technological assistance where needed.

 

Critically, the ICJ recognised these duties as erga omnes - obligations owed to the international community as a whole. In other words, when one state fails to act, it harms not just its neighbours but everyone and any state may hold it to account. That significantly expands the possibilities for international legal action and sets a precedent for collective enforcement of climate obligations.

 

Perhaps most consequentially, the court linked climate action with the protection of human rights. It held that environmental degradation undermines the right to life, health and home. By doing so, it provided ammunition to those who argue that failing to tackle emissions is not just a policy failure, but a human rights violation. This argument may now be pursued not only in international forums, but in national courts too.

 

Large emitters, especially those outside binding treaties, may dismiss the opinion as overreach. But the court was careful to ground its findings in existing law by drawing from the Paris Agreement, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and longstanding principles of international law such as the duty not to cause transboundary harm.

 

The ruling also arrives at a moment of growing judicial clarity. Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights reaffirmed that American states are obliged to act on the climate crisis. UN experts have pressed the Council of Europe to recognise the human right to a healthy environment. Together, these developments suggest that the architecture of international environmental law is rapidly evolving. As COP30 approaches, this opinion provides legal clarity and moral impetus for deeper commitments.

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