Indian-origin radio presenter in UK passes away

Noted radio presenter Santosh Prashar, a former postman who worked in the Indian Air Force before migrating to Coventry in the 1960s, dies. He was 80.

Santosh Prashar, a noted Indian-origin radio presenter based in Coventry in the east Midlands, has died. He was 80.

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Prashar, a former postman who worked in the Indian Air Force before migrating to Coventry in the 1960s, started his radio career after retiring from Royal Mail.

Born in Lahore in 1927, he began working for Radio Harmony, based in Coventry, when he was 62.

He then moved to the Birmingham-based Radio XL station, where he regularly presented an early morning religious programme called Amrit Vani.

"He used to do the show from 0430-0700 am so he had to get up at 3, but being a postman had put him in good stead for getting up early," said Deepak, Prashar's son, who is a professor at University College London.

"The show covered all religions and he had special shows for all the different festivals. I think that's why he was so appreciated because he didn't just appeal to one group.

"He had always wanted to hold the mic. He set up a social group in Coventry and whenever they had social gatherings he used to act as compere."

He also promoted Indian artists by organising exhibitions.