O P Sharma
Someone having extreme passion in being all-rounder be it studies, sports, dramatics, debates, or for that matter any other stage performance is something a unique combination for anyone to achieve and it is none other than Madhvi Sharma, who is at present a senior broadcaster at AIR Station, Jammu. She has carved out niche among the audience of the Radio, a most popular media of communications and her name is now popular not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also in the country and even across the borders.
In a recent exclusive interview with me, Madhvi Sharma narrated the story of her personal and professional life sharing her vast experiences as also attainments in the broadcasting world and in shaping public opinion for education, entertainment and socio-economic transformation.
Madhvi, born at Jammu, the City of Temples, on October 12, 1964 to Prof. Ram Swarup Gupta ( J&K’s first M.Sc. in Agriculture’s Plant Pathology ) and mother, Smt. Sarla Gupta belonging to reputed Mehta family of Kishtwar. She had schooling from Dewan Badrinath School, Jammu under the guidance of Principal, Phoolan Ghai to whom she gave credit for proficiency in English grammar. At the school, Madhvi was good in studies and also all-rounder student. Her parent’s ancestral house was in Mastgarh and at the tender age of merely six had started participating in Radio Station, Jammu as a child gaining exposure and experience. Later, this programme was conducted by her as “Didi” which proved ” a launching pad” for her professional journey as a broadcaster.
Early Start
She shifted from Dewan Badrinath School to St. Mary’s Presentation School, Jammu during 1976 and matriculated in 1980. Afterwards, she joined Govt Women College, Parade, Jammu, did graduation in 1984 and had also been adjudged ” best debater number of times in inter-College and inter-District competitions”. Later, she was declared as best drama artist in a Dogri play staged under “Display your Talent” contest. After completing graduation in Home Science creditably, she became Bachelor of Education in 1985.
Deep Passion
But all these years, her passion for broadcasting was gaining firm ground and from child artist, she moved to anchor “Meri Pasand” and “Western Music programme on Yuvani Service successfully and started conducting popular weekly sports programme “Khel Jagat” under the guidance of noted broadcaster ,Subhash Sharma,
After B.Ed she taught in the Presentation Convent for one year but “realised” that teaching was “not her cup of tea” as she had already qualified as ” Casual Announcer” in the Radio Station, Jammu.
Professional Upscale
Radio professionalism ultimately became passion of her life after February 25, 1988 when she became an Announcer for Dogri and Hindi, she said adding that after it there was no looking back.. In 1989 she got married to Soujanya Sharma, JKAS cadre officer, who invariably ensured proper balance between their married and professional life. Madvi recalled that she learned intricacies of broadcasting from stalwarts like Mehmood Ahmed, Pradhuman Singh, Yash Sharma, J S Pardesi, Chuni Lal Sharma, Sudesh Raj, Suman Pal, Subhash Sharma to name a few.
Talking emotionally, she said “biggest jolt of her life was when she lost her father on October 18, 1990 ( Diwali day) and was broken inside out but ultimately she had to move on which was only possible due to the support of her life-partner and other near and dear ones.
Upward Career Graph
Narrating her career journey, she fondly remembered he popular music- based programme “Patrawali aur Aap ki Pasand” for more than one and a half decades and participation in the family serial “Dareeche” as Rama for more than two decades to the complete satisfaction of her seniors and above all the listener audience. She had been compeering women’s Hindi and Dogri programmes for years together. For Radio Station, Jammu, she covered music concerts featuring luminaries like Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Allah Rakha, Ravinder Sathe, Jubin Nautiyal, Wadali Brothers, Radhika Chopra, Seema Anil Sehgal and numerous others, she recollected modestly. Prestigious functions of AIR, Jammu like Golden Jubilee celebrations as also Akashwani’s Annual Awards hosted at Jammu were successfully compeered by her in English and it was appreciated by one and all.
Going down the memory lane, Madhvi recalled that she was privileged to host many prestigious programmes featuring President Pratibhadevi Singh Patil; Prime Minister, Narendra Modi; Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, launching of Ayushman Bharat Card, Corona Vaccination, and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and many other such important programmes. Many social organisations like Performers Group, Dhiyan Duggar Diyan by Dogra Saddar Sabha, Nutan Prayas Manch and in 2022 on International Women’s Day her services as broadcaster were acknowledged by Directorate of Social Welfare and also the “Radio Mirchi”.
Proud Record
Madhvi Sharma has already put in 35 years of service in AIR, the nature of the job was “challenging but full of opportunities”, she added.. Despite all hurdles, she never stopped from putting all her best and earned a niche among the listeners as an ace broadcaster.
Answering a question, she pointed out that her dedication to the duties did not stop her from being a good wife and maintaining all relationships. She credited her achievement in life initially to her parents, life-partner, others relatives, all colleagues and above all the listeners. She always believed that God has made females with extreme passion, emotions, sympathy and all these virtues combined together makes her a perfect combination for uplift of a society and the nation as a whole.
Ace Broadcaster
She always advocated for women welfare causes and stressed females to have faith, self-confidence and rest would follow. She asserted that her passion for broadcasting will not cease till the last breath .Radio Sakhi, has emerged as Ace broadcaster just because of her professionalism and personal qualities.
Excerpts of interview:
Q What do you think about the broadcasting and telecasting with your own part in the medium of mass communication?
A Both the vital media are crucial and have promising future. My soothing voice and professional touch has deep influence on the general listening public is highly appreciable both within Jammu and Kashmir but beyond too. Their sentiments always keep me going
Q What advice you have for the next generation broadcasters or talkers and their scope in this profession?
A There is vast scope and the youngsters now have opportunities of formal trainings and practice in leading media training institutions like IIMC, IGNOU and many such others across the country. But I think that learning by practice and proper guidance play key role and I had long innings in this field from my childhood.
Q Your happiest moments of professional life?
A I take pride in presentation of my popular programmes like Aap Ki Pasand and many other broadcasts which won the hearts of thousands of listeners. When I look back I feel satisfaction of having done my job creditably.
Q What do you think of the talent of the J&K youth of this part of the country ?
A Certainly, our young girls and boys have lot of latent talent which need to be properly channelized through suitable trainings and professionalism in them with latest modern techniques and adequate opportunities in media profession for social awakening, infusing nationalistic spirit, deepening democratic fabric and pushing forward Bharat to its due slot on the top in the globe.
(Starline.syndicate.service@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel
