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Vividh Bharati now available on FM 102.8 MHz in Mumbai
NEW DELHI: The popular Vividh Bharati channel of All India Radio (AIR) in Mumbai is now available on FM mode on 102.8 MHz.
The FM Transmitter for this service was inaugurated by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore in Worli, Mumbai.
The channel, which was until now on Medium Wave, has been very popular over the past 50 years but saw a downfall in listenership with the coming in of the Frequency Modulation (FM), which is also available in car radios and mobile phones.
The inaugural function yesterday was attended by a galaxy of mediapersons, cultural luminaries, eminent personalities from Bollywood and broadcasting including actors Vikram Gokhale, Jackie Shroff, Brijbushan and Vishwas Mehendale. Amin Sayani, who has been credited for the popularity of this channel with his vibrant voice and his knowledge about music, was also present.
VB Mumbai transmission begins at 05:55 AM and goes up to 11:30 PM. This service is in addition to the two existing FM services of AIR namely FM Gold and FM Rainbow. A dedicated 5 KW transmitter has been installed for the VB Service in Mumbai.
While Vividh Bharati services were available across most parts of the country on FM mode, it was transmitted only on Medium Wave in the four metros (with the highest population densities).
Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar sought to address this matter as he felt that this did not allow ‘people on the move’ in the four metros to enjoy Vividh Bharati’s superlative and varied content.
With the approval of the Prasar Bharati Board, the idea was presented to the current government when it took over, and the I&B Ministry supported the proposal as well.
Vividh Bharati is now available on FM mode in three metros of the country (Kolkata: 101.8 Mhz; Chennai: 100.5Mhz and Mumbai: 102.8Mhz) and will shortly also be available in Delhi on FM.
Rathore said radio not only regales but also educates constantly. It is a companion and does not distract its listeners. “We have been listening to radio and simultaneously doing other mundane things,” he said.
The 5 KW FM Transmitter will be upgraded to 20 KW FM in the near future and will cover a radius over 80 kilometres once installed and made operational.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
