Meet the voice behind 'the third best morning radio show in the world'

26-year-old enthusiastic Disha Oberoi, a Radio Jockey from 93.5 Red FM in Bangalore has made the entire country proud by bagging the bronze award in the prestigious New York Festivals: Radio Programming and Promotions Awards. The event considered to be the biggest in the radio fraternity had more than 30 countries competing in the category of radio broadcast.

Disha was awarded for hosting the third best morning radio show in the world through her programme ‘Morning No. 1’, on June 22 in Manhattan. The multi-talented youngster holds a Bachelors Degree in Journalism as well as Psychology and is also a professional license holder in Scuba Diving and Para-gliding. She also worked as a flight attendant for a private airline for three years before she decided to become a RJ with Red FM.

Iamin caught up with the most-sought-after RJ of Bangalore for a quick chat.

How did you decide to switch from being a flight attendant to a radio jockey?
During my stint as a flight attendant, many people actually came up to me saying that I had a very unique voice, which they heard during my announcements and advised me to experiment by putting it to good use. This is how I stumbled into the world of radio and started off in Chennai. I moved to Bangalore two-and-a-half years back and I have been in love with my profession ever since.

What was your parents’ reaction when you made a career switch?
To be honest my parents are quite wacky and cool. I started working quite early when I was 19. My mom herself was a flight attendant with an airline and she always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted to do, but with integrity. I can actually recall my father’s words to me, when I told him about my aspirations. He said that it didn’t matter to him even if I wanted to become a carpenter or a plumber, but if I am to be one, I should ensure that I am the best carpenter or plumber in the world. They didn’t want me to get stuck in mediocrity. For them it was not about what I was doing, but how I was doing it.

Can you tell us about the New York Festivals:Radio Programming and Promotions Award?
It is the biggest award function for the radio fraternity that involves competitors from 32 countries all around the world. In the past India has won awards for the best narration, best sound and best special features. But this is the first time a full-fledged main stream radio show has won an award at New York Festivals.

Who would you like to dedicate this award to?
With all honesty this award belongs to what I love the most—my country and radio broadcasting. That’s why I went personally to collect the award in New York to represent India on such a huge platform. It is a matter of great pride for me to see India being represented amid so many other countries.

Tell us about the response you have received once you returned to your homeland?
My family is ecstatic, needless to say and the Red FM Bangalore team has been extremely supportive throughout my tenure in the company. This is a mad-house full of very talented people and I feel privileged and lucky to be working with people who are so happy for my success. Even radio professionals from other radio stations have made it a point to pick up the phone and congratulate me.

Tell us about your show, Morning No.1, that brought you under the limelight?
The show is broadcast on Red FM and the tagline of the company itself says Bajaate Raho. The essence of the programme is to bring out the impact of different things on the life of an average citizen. The biggest advantage of radio as a medium is that it is immediate. If you call a radio station, you are suddenly reaching out to thousands of people who are listening to you all over the city. 
Moreover, there are no filters, as the show doesn’t go through editors or checks. It is as spontaneous as it can get. It’s a platform where anyone speak their mind and talk about the city, music, report traffic jams or just share their opinions regarding any topic.

Tell us about the kind of callers you get?
One of the highlights of my job is getting to talk to so many people from varied backgrounds and professions. Some of my callers are general managers of big companies while some of them are cab drivers who are equally enthusiastic about speaking their mind on air. What is most interesting is when I get calls from old people or senior citizens, who love to take a walk down the path of nostalgia. I have realised that this city is full of fun-loving people, irrespective of their age.

What do you want to tell youngsters who want to follow your footsteps and achieve their dreams?
All I would tell anyone is that if you have a dream and you are sure it is worth the effort, then go ahead fearlessly and keep trying to achieve your goal till you succeed. Just never give up easily.

For the longer version of the report, click here