AIR to broadcast special series on Padma Awardees from May 24

The All India Radio will broadcast 16 special programmes highlighting the lives and contributions of Padma awardees, including 'unsung heroes', starting on May 24.

The All India Radio (AIR) will broadcast 16 special programmes under its series 'People's Padma on Akashvani', highlighting the lives and contributions of Padma awardees, particularly ''unsung heroes'', officials said on Saturday.

The special radio series will begin on May 24, a day before President Droupadi Murmu presents the Padma Awards 2026 at a civil investiture ceremony on May 25.

According to officials, the episodes will provide listeners with insights into the lives and work of Padma award recipients.

The programmes will be aired on May 24 and May 25 on 100.1 Akashvani Gold from 9.10 am onwards.

The episodes will also be available on the News On Air app and the NEWS ON AIR OFFICIAL YouTube channel.

Officials said that since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014, Padma awards have increasingly recognised 'unsung heroes', transforming them into 'People's Padma'.

AIR also known as Akashvani, is India's public broadcaster and the radio division of Prasar Bharati.

According to the Prasar Bharati website, Akashvani is among the world's largest broadcast organisations in terms of the number of languages and the socio-cultural diversity it serves.

AIR's home service currently comprises 470 broadcasting centres across the country, covering nearly 92 per cent of India's geographical area and 99.19 per cent of it's population, it broadcasts programmes in 23 languages and 179 dialects.