Sunrise Radio Founder Avtar Singh Lit passes away

Avtar Singh Lit, Founder of Sunrise Radio station in the UK, died aged 73, his family announced this week.

A family statement reads: “On behalf of the Lit family, it is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of the radio and broadcasting pioneer Dr Avtar Singh Lit.

“Avtar was a visionary. He created electronic British Asian media with the launch of Sunrise Radio, the first 24-hour independent and greatest commercial Asian radio station in the world. Avtar entered broadcasting to give the British Asian community a voice, which he indisputably achieved and far more.

“We are incredibly proud of his legacy, which has given much joy and opportunity to so many. Avtar is survived by his mother, five children, Surjit (51), Tony (50), Bobby (49), Serena (24), and Robbie (19), and his five grandchildren. He was a much-beloved son, father, and grandfather.

“As a family, we kindly request privacy at this difficult time.”

At times at the centre of some controversy, Lit was a well-known disruptor in the field of broadcasting services targeted at the South Asian diaspora in the UK.