Odisha's RJ Niel Makes History with National Award Win!

A Historic Win for Odisha's Radio Scene

Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable milestone for the media scene in Odisha, RJ Niel from RED FM has made history by being the first radio jockey from the state to receive the esteemed 'Best RJ Zonal' award for his hit show, Morning No. 1, at the All India Audio Summit Awards 2025. The ceremony took place on April 25 at the Taj Santacruz in Mumbai, marking its fourth year as a prestigious event that honors excellence in the audio sector, encompassing radio, podcasts, audiobooks, and advancements in audio technology.

After accepting the award, RJ Niel expressed his gratitude, dedicating the accolade to his audience. He stated, “This victory is not solely mine; it belongs to every listener in Odisha who engages with us and motivates us to improve daily. At RED FM, we are firm believers in the transformative power of radio, and this recognition reinforces that conviction.”

This year's event attracted leading audio professionals nationwide, with Pragya Paliwal Gaur, the director general of Akashwani, serving as the chief guest.

RJ Niel's achievement is particularly noteworthy as he stood out among some of the best talents from both private and government radio stations, representing a region that often lacks visibility in the national media landscape.

The award jury commended the significant social influence of Morning No. 1, recognizing Niel for leveraging his platform to highlight pressing social issues, foster civic awareness, and spark meaningful discussions within the community.