Radio stations in India are highlighting major issues facing the country as celebrations get underway to mark Independence Day on Thursday.

The largest radio network 93.5 RED FM is doing a satirical but soul-searching initiative called ‘Azaadi Ka Laddoo’ (Sweets of Freedom).

The station says the campaign is designed – in a humorous way – to ask the common man whether freedom is an empty promise.

For the past week, 92.7 BIG FM has been building up its ‘BIG Badlaw Ki Ek Chhoti Pahal’ campaign, inviting listeners to nominate glaring social issues that deserve national attention.

The campaign promised to shed light on a range of distressing matters including crimes against women and children and human trafficking.

Across 45 cities, on-air and on-ground activities have been taking place culminating on Thursday and Friday.

Radio City 91.1, which operates in 20 Indian cities, is taking a more patriotic approach to Independence Day.

The station is promoting a new song that has been written especially for the occasion.

‘This is My Freedom’ was penned by musician and actor Luke Kenny to mark 66 years of India’s independence.

Kenny describes the song as a “new-age freedom anthem which will connect with the masses and invoke the pride we take in this beautiful country of ours”.

The song is being blasted on Radio City Freedom, the online station for indie music on PlanetRadiocity.com.