A group of students from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Government College for Women, Moulana Azad Road, Srinagar, visited Akashvani (All India Radio) Srinagar on 18th December 2025 for an industry exposure tour of the country’s premier public service broadcasting institution.
The visit was coordinated by Dr. Suhail Ahmad, Head, Department of Journalism (GCW M.A. Road), and Mr. Waseem Farooq, Programme Officer, Akashvani Srinagar. The visiting team led by Dr. Suhail comprised 30 students from the Postgraduate and Undergraduate batches and three faculty members—Dr. Rouf Bhat, Dr. Mudabbr Ahmad and Dr. Tasaduq Hidayat.
The day-long programme began with a briefing session in the AIR auditorium moderated by Mr. Waseem, during which senior officials interacted with the students.
In his opening remarks, noted broadcaster Mr. Ashfaq Lone spoke about the continued relevance of radio in the contemporary media landscape. Using the analogy of the wheel—an ancient invention that continues to evolve—he highlighted how radio has adapted to new technological forms while retaining its core value. He described radio as a powerful medium with unmatched reach, sharing examples from Shaherbeen, AIR’s well-known public grievance programme, where civic issues were swiftly addressed following their broadcast. He also reminisced about his long personal association with AIR and its strong ethos of public service.
Senior Programme Executive, Akashvani Srinagar, Dr. Satish Vimal described Akashvani as a vital bridge between the government and the people. Responding to student queries, he explained the difference between public service broadcasting and private FM stations, noting that while private FM channels primarily focus on entertainment, AIR shoulders the responsibility of preserving and promoting local culture and traditions. He urged students to enhance their communication skills, learn multiple languages, and nurture creativity to improve their career prospects. Dr. Satish also shared insights from his own journey from print to broadcast media and assured support from AIR for students keen to develop broadcasting skills.
Addressing the students, News Editor, Mr. Ishfaq Ahmad Shah, emphasised the need to make effective use of modern technological tools and acquire new skills to compete in the dynamic world of broadcast media. He underlined the credibility of AIR’s news service—currently the only authorised radio news broadcaster in India—and encouraged students to work consistently on their skill sets to build strong professional foundations.
In the second half of the visit, students were taken on a guided tour of various units of the station. In the Regional News Unit, Mr. Ishfaq briefed them on the daily workflow involved in preparing multi-language news bulletins. Mr. Waseem then led the group to the historic archives section, which houses invaluable records dating back to 1948.
Students also visited different studio units, including the music studio, news studio and talk studio, where Mr. Waseem explained the procedures involved in programme production. They interacted with officials from various sections, explored technical setups, and some students recorded voice samples—from news updates to literary pieces—while learning about studio operations and editing systems.
On behalf of the college, Dr. Suhail expressed gratitude to the entire AIR team for their support and for facilitating the visit. He also conveyed heartfelt thanks to the Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq, for encouraging industry linkages. Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen said such visits play an important role in exposing students to the rich history of such institutions besides professional practices and industry requirements.
Students described the visit as an enriching, exciting and highly productive learning experience. Pertinently, the college is exploring possibility of signing a formal MoU with Akasvani to pave way for more student-centric collaboration.
