MB#54: 𝙈𝙮 𝙐𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙤 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩.

[MemoirBlogthon #54] In October 1977, as a budding freelance journalist, I visited All India Radio (AIR), Vijayawada. Impressed by my enthusiasm and Jaycees social service credentials, Programme Executive Sri B. Ramanna Panthulu Garu entrusted me with my first official assignment: producing a youth feature for Diwali Day. I secured seven young interviewees from across India, provided the interlinking commentary, and received my first contract for Rs 25/-, signed on behalf of the President of India. That 10-minute broadcast on October 22nd, amidst the sounds of crackers, marked a miraculous entry into radio, delighting my parents and launching my career as a full-fledged broadcaster.

MB#54: Broadcasting Contracts with All India Radio.

The Unconventional Entry

My entry into the world of radio broadcasting in 1977 was nothing short of a miracle. At the time, I was working as a freelance journalist, regularly contributing articles to local newspapers and national magazines. To broaden my professional horizon, I visited the All India Radio (AIR) offices in Vijayawada with my profile.

There, I met Sri B. Ramanna Panthulu Garu, the in-charge Programmes Executive (PEX) for the 'Yuvavani' (Youth Voice) wing. Impressed with my enthusiasm and my commitment to social service activities, particularly my Jaycees Youth Club credentials, he immediately entrusted me with a demanding job: to produce a feature based on interviews for Diwali Day (October 22, 1977).

The First Contract and the Broadcast

The assignment was unique: I needed to source and interview young persons from seven different states, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal. I successfully arranged for these seven individuals to come to the old AIR studios.

PEX Sri Panthulu Garu recorded their voices, while I provided the crucial interlinking commentary. The voices were recorded on October 17th, and the 10-minute feature was broadcast on October 22nd at 6:30 p.m., right amidst the festive sounds of Diwali crackers.

I received my first official contract for a fee of Rs 25/-, signed in the prescribed format by the PEX "for and on behalf of the President of India." My delight was immense, especially when my parents listened to the broadcast and called to congratulate me on my very first radio performance.

The Freelancer's Apprenticeship

Because my voice, modulation, and presentation style were rated highly, I began receiving regular assignments—at least twice a month. These varied widely, including:

• Interviewing prominent personalities.

• Presenting sports reviews to cover weekly events.

• Participating in discussion broadcasts.

My journey progressed from the studio to "OB (Outdoor Broadcast) recordings." I would either go solo with my cassette recorder or accompany the professional OB unit equipped with a spool recorder and wired mic. This hands-on experience taught me the technical side of radio: transferring cassette versions to the spool editing unit and mastering the crucial techniques of 'dubbing, mixing, and editing' to create a high-quality final feature. Within two years, I evolved into a full-fledged broadcaster, competent in both recording and editing.

MB#54: Quiz

MB54: Question The author's first official contract with AIR for the Diwali feature was signed on behalf of which authority?

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• A. The President of India
• B. The Station Director of AIR
• C. The PEX - Yuvavani
• D. The Minister of Information & Broadcasting

MB#54: Quote

"The true professional is a person who can solve problems that they haven't seen before." W. Edwards Deming.