At a recent parliamentary session, the Centre said it is not mandatory for airlines and airports to play Indian music. During the session, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ambika Soni asked whether the central government will be going forward with earlier plans to incorporate Indian music in aircraft and airport premises, to which Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh replied in the negative.
A few months ago, on December 27, 2021, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation urged airlines in India as well as airports to play Indian music on premises and in aircraft. This was after a written request made by the Indian Council of Cultural Research (ICCR) and submitted to Union Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The ICCR letter was signed by musicians and artistes including Anu Malik, Rita Ganguly, Shounak Abhisheki, Malini Awasthi, Wasifuddin Dagar, Manjusha Patil K, Sanjeev Abhyanakar and Kaushal S. Inamdar.
“It is extremely unfortunate that most airlines in India, both private and government owned, as well as both domestic and international, seldom, if at all, play Indian music,” said the ICCR letter to Scindia. “Our music mirrors our rich heritage and culture and it is one of the many things every Indian has a reason to be truly proud of”.
Keep up with the ICCR here