Mumbai: "This is All India Radio," the once-familiar baritone sound that the nation woke up to every morning and tuned in without fail, along with their hot cup of tea, turns 75 on July 23.

To celebrate its platinum jubilee, the Mumbai division of All India Radio (Akashwani) has chalked out a series of programmes aimed at boosting its reach and widening the listeners' base, assistant station director, Kirit Barot said.

Starting on July 23, listeners could dial 022-2875705 or 022-2875708 to relate their experiences with All India Radio and their special relationship with the organisation. The entire programme would be broadcast live, he said.

Listeners would also be treated to a week-long special programme in Marathi on Mumbai B channel from 21:30 hours to 22:30 (IST) while listeners of Mumbai A would have an opportunity to listen to multi-lingual programmes, comprising talks with some of the well known celebrities connected with the AIR.

Also on the cards is an archival special that would take listeners down the memory lane with a nostalgic flashback of some of the most popular programmes in the over seven decades of the existence of the AIR.

A special programme would also be aired on 23rd of every month all throughout the year to mark the occasion.

A unique museum showcasing some of the old equipment used by AIR during its 75-year history was also inaugurated on July 23.

The museum has on display some of the rare tapes and even signatures and comments of some of India's celebrities, including the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu and even scientist C V Raman.

PTI