THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Late news anchor M Ramachandran, some years back, reflected on how news anchoring as a job has lost its sheen over the years. His response was in an interview given to Kerala Kaumudi four years ago. A veteran of Akashvani, Ramachandran served 52 years as a new reader with the organization.
The youths of today might have some difficulty recognizing the catchphrase “Varthakal Vayikunath Ramachandran” (News going to read by Ramachandran). But for the former generation, hearing the same brings back memories of a beautiful past. “The new generation of news anchors have not fathomed yet the responsibility of their job.
They read without seriousness and often commit mistakes. Words are not pronounced correctly. News reading has been turned into a 9-5 profession.
For me, it was three hours of hard work to prepare a ten-minute radio segment. Those were an entirely different time”; this is what Ramachandran said to Kaumudi while reminiscing about the old days of radio in his house at Poojappura. While studying at University College, Ramachandran had deep insights into his future with Akashvani.
He wanted to pursue a career in media but landed in a lucrative job as a clerk with the electricity board. Despite the good pay, Ramachandran worked half-heartedly until he got a chance to be a casual newsreader with Akashvani in Delhi. He remained in Delhi for three years.
When Indira Gandhi was Minister of Information and Distribution Department, Ramachandran was ab.
