Yesterday, after many years, I found myself listening to the radio again. The familiar hum, followed by a calm human voice, felt almost out of place in a time shaped by screens and constant digital noise. Yet, within moments, the radio reclaimed its space, carrying me back to a quieter period of life when listening was an act of patience and imagination.

For many households in Kashmir, the radio once held a central place. It informed, entertained, and accompanied people through long mornings and silent evenings. News bulletins were listened to with attention, music programmes with anticipation. There were no choices to scroll through, no songs to skip. What came on air was accepted, and in that acceptance lay a certain discipline and grace.
Childhood memories surfaced effortlessly. The radio played while elders discussed daily affairs, while children completed their homework, and while kitchens remained busy with routine work. It was never demanding, never intrusive. Its voices blended naturally into life, creating a shared experience that quietly connected family members.
Listening again yesterday highlighted how much radio taught us about waiting. Missing a programme meant waiting for its next broadcast, sometimes days later. That sense of delay shaped a generation that understood value beyond immediacy. In contrast, today’s instant access leaves little room for anticipation or reflection.
Radio also nurtured imagination. Without visuals, listeners created their own mental images. Stories felt personal, songs carried deeper emotion, and voices developed a familiarity that did not require a face. In many ways, radio trusted the listener’s intelligence and sensitivity.
While technology has transformed communication, radio has not disappeared; it has merely receded into the background. Its quiet endurance speaks of its relevance even today. It continues to transmit across distances, unaffected by changing trends, offering companionship without overwhelming the listener.
Tuning in after a long gap did not feel like revisiting the past alone. It felt like rediscovering a form of calm that modern life often denies. The radio remains a reminder that some frequencies do not fade they wait patiently to be heard again.

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