Nariman Printer

Lore & Background

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the British cancelled the issue of new amateur radio licences and ordered all operators to hand over their transmitting equipment to the police, both for possible war use and to prevent use by Axis collaborators and spies. As the Indian independence movement gained momentum, Printer in 1940 set up the Azad Hind Radio to broadcast Gandhian protest music and uncensored economic news. He was promptly arrested and his equipment seized.

In August 1942, after Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, the British began clamping down on Indian freedom fighters and censoring the media. To circumvent media restrictions, Indian National Congress activists, led by Usha Mehta, contacted Mumbai-based amateur radio operators, "Bob" Tanna (VU2LK) and Printer to help broadcast messages to grass-root party workers across the country. This became known as the "Congress Radio", and began broadcasting from 2 September 1942 on 7.12 MHz. The station could be received as far as Japanese occupied Burma. By November 1942, Printer was caught and decided to help the British.

Reader's Guide

Printer's significance lies in his use of amateur radio to support the Indian independence movement at a time when the British had banned new licences and seized equipment. His initial effort, Azad Hind Radio, was short-lived due to arrest, but his later involvement with the Congress Radio provided a vital communication channel for the Indian National Congress during the Quit India Movement. The Congress Radio broadcast on 7.12 MHz and reached as far as Japanese-occupied Burma, enabling the dissemination of messages to grass-root party workers despite British censorship. Printer's eventual capture and decision to assist the British mark a complex turn in his story. His call sign VU2FU remains a point of remembrance within amateur radio history.

Did You Know?

• Printer set up the Azad Hind Radio in 1940 to broadcast Gandhian protest music and uncensored economic news.
• He was arrested after setting up Azad Hind Radio and his equipment was seized.
• The Congress Radio began broadcasting on 2 September 1942 on 7.12 MHz.
• Printer's call sign was VU2FU.