“मेरी आवाज़ ही मेरी पहचान है” – A SAMVAAD with RJ Anamika Dwivedi on Voice, Stereotypes & Mental Health

The Power of a Voice

“हर आवाज़ में पावर है और हर आवाज़ का बाहर आना ज़रूरी है,” says RJ Anamika Dwivedi, the vibrant and soulful voice of FM Rainbow, Lucknow. In this special edition of SAMVAAD – From Ideas to Impact, we sat down with her to trace her remarkable journey from being a Humanities student at Banaras Hindu University BHU, to becoming the “आवाज़ of Lucknow”.

Her story is not just about radio, but about breaking stereotypes, managing mental health pressures, and finding empowerment in voice.

From a Blank Call to the Mic

Anamika’s entry into radio was nothing less than destiny. “एक दिन एक ब्लैंक कॉल ने मेरी पूरी ज़िंदगी बदल दी,” she recalls. Accidentally dialing Red FM’s office led to her first opportunity. What started as curiosity soon transformed into her life’s calling.

“डेस्टिनी हाथ पकड़कर उसी मंज़िल तक ले जाती है, जहां आपको पहले से नियत किया गया है,” she smiles.

This belief kept her grounded as she navigated the stereotypes of choosing radio as a career in a family dominated by government jobs and business backgrounds.

Breaking Stereotypes as a Woman in Radio

In Indian households, especially a decade ago, radio was not seen as a “stable career.” Parents often insisted: “लड़कियां डॉक्टर या टीचर बनें”. But Anamika chose differently.

“ये सबसे टफेस्ट पॉइंट होता है जब आप अपने ही लोगों को समझा पाते हो कि यही प्रोफेशन मेरे लिए बना है।”

Her determination reflects the larger journey of women empowerment in media careers. Today, she stands as proof that being an Radio Jockey can be a respectable, impactful, and stable profession.

Lucknow ki Awaaz & the Tehzeeb of Speech

Being the “आवाज़ of Lucknow” carries its own charm. Anamika beautifully describes it:
“हमारी बातचीत की लज्ज़त में मिठास है। ये ब्लेसिंग है – तहज़ीब और ज़ुबान की मिठास को आवाज़ के साथ ले जाना।”

Her shows, especially late-night programs like RajniGandha, provide not just entertainment but also companionship in loneliness. Whether someone is stuck in traffic or battling stress, her voice becomes a friend: “एक अकेला RJ लाखों का दोस्त बन जाता है।”

The Responsibility of Mental Health

As conversations turned deeper, Anamika acknowledged the mental health responsibilities that come with her role.

“कई बार callers हमें हीलर मान लेते हैं। वो अपनी सबसे बड़ी समस्याएं हमारे साथ शेयर करते हैं। ऐसे में हमें डर भी लगता है – कहीं हम गलत सलाह ना दे दें।”

Radio, she believes, plays a therapeutic role in people’s lives, offering a safe, non-judgmental space. And in return, this responsibility often puts RJs themselves under immense mental and emotional stress.

Milestones & Dreams

From hosting cultural programs for the Ministry of Culture to anchoring the RML National Law University Convocation attended by the Chief Justice of India, Anamika has achieved milestones that she describes as “मेरे करियर का पहाड़, जिस पर झंडा बुलंद करना था।”

Yet, she continues to dream. “मैं चाहती हूं कि मेरी आवाज़ याद रखी जाए। अगर कभी डबिंग करने का मौका मिले, तो मैं शिवगामी या इंदिरा गांधी जैसे करैक्टर्स को अपनी आवाज़ देना चाहूंगी।”

Final Takeaway

Anamika Dwivedi’s journey is an inspiring reminder that dreams, when backed by persistence, break stereotypes and create legacies. From being a Humanities student to a celebrated RJ, she has shown how voice can be identity, therapy, and empowerment.

Her words in SAMVAAD resonate far beyond radio:
“हर किसी का अपना पहाड़ है। अगर आप उस रास्ते पर भी चल रहे हो, तो वही आपकी सफलता है।”

👉 For more conversations on empowerment, mental health, and creativity, follow SAMVAAD – From Ideas to Impact | Connect on Instagram.

Saumya D Tewari | 9811901985

Write to us at samvaadconnect@gmail.com