Public Service Broadcasting Day: Date, Theme, Importance & Key Facts

India celebrates Public Service Broadcasting Day every year on November 12. This annual observance commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s historic radio address to displaced Partition refugees on November 12, 1947.

On that day, Mahatma Gandhi visited the Broadcasting House in New Delhi for the first and only time in his life. The occasion underscores the vital role of radio in connecting citizens, fostering national integration, and delivering trusted public information across every corner of India.

Why Does India Celebrate on November 12?

November 12 holds monumental significance in Indian media history. Following the trauma of the 1947 Partition, thousands of displaced refugees from Pakistan took shelter in relief camps at Kurukshetra, Haryana.

Gandhi wanted to visit them personally on Deepawali, but urgent political duties kept him in Delhi. Instead, he used All India Radio (Akashvani) to send a comforting Deepawali message directly to the refugees. Accompanied by freedom fighter Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Gandhi comforted the grief-stricken families and demonstrated how radio could bridge vast physical distances during national crises.

Theme of the Public Service Broadcasting Day 2026: 

Public Service Broadcasting Day highlights the role of responsible media in promoting public welfare, truth and social responsibility.

• 2026 Theme: No separate official national theme has been announced. However, the India International Centre is hosting a discussion titled “Broadcasting as a Social Contract.”
• Public Responsibility: The discussion focuses on the role of broadcasting in serving citizens and protecting public interests.
• Tribute to Usha Mehta: The programme honours freedom fighter Usha Mehta for running underground radio during the Quit India Movement. British authorities arrested her on 12 November 1942.
• Commemorative Events: The 12 November programme includes a tribute at Gandhi-King Memorial Plaza, followed by discussions at the C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, New Delhi.
• Core Values: The observance promotes truth, inclusiveness, Gandhian principles and responsible broadcasting.

Mahatma Gandhi's Historic Visit to Broadcasting House

Initially, Mahatma Gandhi hesitated to use radio as a communication medium. Before 1947, he had spoken on air only once during the Round Table Conference in London.

However, renowned industrialist and philanthropist Ghanshyam Das Birla persuaded him to broadcast to the refugees. To make him feel at ease, organizers arranged the New Delhi studio to mirror his daily prayer meetings. Sitting inside this familiar setting, Gandhi delivered a deeply moving address that became a defining milestone in Indian broadcasting history.

Media Reaction and Archival Preservation

Gandhi’s broadcast sparked widespread public admiration across the newly independent nation. The following morning, The Hindustan Times ran a prominent headline describing radio as an example of "miraculous power," echoing Gandhi’s own appreciation for the medium.

Following this historic broadcast, engineers began recording Gandhi's daily prayer meetings at Birla House. Today, the Prasar Bharati Archives preserve these invaluable audio recordings, giving historians, researchers, and students direct access to Gandhi's authentic voice and teachings.

Origin of the Observance and Bapu Studio

In the year 2000, then Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sushma Swaraj officially declared November 12 as Public Service Broadcasting Day. Since then, Akashvani marks the occasion every year with special documentaries, panel discussions, and devotional bhajans favored by Mahatma Gandhi.

In March 2023, Akashvani formally dedicated the exact studio where Gandhi spoke as Bapu Studio, coinciding with the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio programme, Mann Ki Baat.

Bapu Studio preserves historical artifacts from Gandhi’s 1947 visit, including:

• Original audio recordings of his Kurukshetra address.
• Excerpts from his daily Prarthana Sabha (prayer meetings).
• Vintage microphones, memorabilia, and a curated photo gallery.

The Enduring Role of Akashvani

Akashvani continues to champion public service broadcasting by delivering educational, cultural, and informational programming in multiple regional languages. By promoting Gandhian values of truth, non-violence, and social harmony, public broadcasting ensures reliable news reaches even the most remote rural communities.

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