In a modest thatched house at Sahupada village under Remuna block in Odisha’s Balasore district, time appears to flow gently, untouched by the rush of modern technology. There are no glowing smartphone screens, no television chatter filling the room. Instead, a familiar voice hums softly from an old radio set — a sound that has accompanied Padmalochan Mahalik and his wife Rukmani Mahalik for more than 50 years.
As the world celebrates World Radio Day, their story stands as a quiet yet powerful reminder of an era when radio was more than just a device — it was a trusted family member.
Now both over 80 years old, the couple’s most treasured possession is an ageing radio set, carefully preserved despite the sweeping changes brought by smartphones and digital platforms. For Padmalochan, radio has always been a source of information and comfort. “The radio keeps me informed. I listen to news, songs, whatever it plays,” he says with simple pride, calling himself a lifelong radio lover.
Rukmani’s attachment runs even deeper. “This radio has been with me since I came to this house. Earlier, we had three or four radios. We listened to Ramayan, Mahabharata, Sambalpuri songs and ancient stories from Baripada and Cuttack stations. I cannot move on from radio. I love it,” she recalls, her eyes lighting up with nostalgia.
Through changing governments, seasons, harvests, and festivals, radio has remained their constant companion, delivering news bulletins, devotional programmes, Mann Ki Baat, agricultural advisories, and music that marked the rhythm of rural life.