Ever Heard ‘Please Mind the Gap’? Meet Shammi Narang, India’s Metro Voice

If you’ve ever travelled in the Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, Bengaluru Metro, Hyderabad Metro or Jaipur Metro, chances are you’ve heard a calm, deep, authoritative voice guiding you:

“Kripya darwazon se door rahein…”

“Please mind the gap.”

That familiar baritone belongs to Shammi Narang the voice that has guided millions of metro passengers across India every single day.

While most commuters may not recognise his face, they instantly recognise his voice. For over a decade, Shammi Narang has become an inseparable part of India’s urban transport experience  the sound of safety, direction, and reassurance inside metro trains.

But how did a man who once became the face of Doordarshan news turn into the voice of Indian metros?

Let’s take a closer look.

The Voice Behind India’s Metro Announcements

Shammi Narang is the official Hindi announcement voice for:

• Delhi Metro
• Rapid Metro Gurgaon
• Mumbai Metro
• Bengaluru Metro
• Jaipur Metro
• Hyderabad Metro Rail

Every in-train and in-station Hindi announcement in these metro systems carries his distinct tone.

In a country where millions rely on public transport daily, his voice has become one of the most heard voices in India.

Unlike television fame, this recognition is invisible yet powerful. His voice ensures:

• Passenger safety
• Platform discipline
• Clear route guidance
• Polite behavioural reminders

It is not dramatic. It is not loud. It is measured, controlled and dignified exactly what public transport communication requires.

Before the Metro: A Broadcasting Legend

Long before metro systems became part of India’s urban life, Shammi Narang was already a familiar figure in Indian households.

In the 1970s and 1980s, when Doordarshan was India’s only television channel, Narang became one of its most respected news anchors.

Selected from nearly 10,000 candidates, he developed a signature news-reading style defined by:

• Perfect pronunciation
• Flawless diction
• A deep, confident baritone
• Controlled emotional tone

At a time when news was delivered with restraint and authority, he became known as the “face of Doordarshan news reading.”

Ironically, while television made him visible, it is the metro that made him permanently audible.

Engineering Graduate to India’s Most Recognisable Voice

Interestingly, Shammi Narang did not start his career in broadcasting.

He graduated with an engineering degree from YMCA, Faridabad. Before becoming a full-time voice professional, he worked with:

• Voice of America (Hindi division)
• Larsen & Toubro (as a marketing professional)
• Escorts (as a stunt rider inspired by cinema)

An accident during his stunt-riding days reportedly left a lasting mark on his face. But what endured and defined his life was his voice.

His early association with Voice of America helped refine his Hindi articulation. That training later shaped his success in national broadcasting and metro announcements.

Why His Metro Voice Works So Well

Public transport announcements require more than just a good voice.

They require:

• Clarity in noisy environments
• Neutral tone
• Calm authority
• Precise pronunciation
• Emotional balance

Narang’s voice carries all these qualities.

There is no rush. No exaggerated emotion. No casual tone.

Just steady, reassuring communication.

When passengers hear instructions inside a metro coach, they don’t feel alarmed they feel guided.

That subtle psychological balance is what makes his voice effective in urban mobility systems.

From Doordarshan to Digital Recording Studios

After satellite television changed the news landscape, Shammi Narang transitioned from news anchoring into voice-over work and training.

In 1998, he founded Studio Pindrop, Delhi’s first digital recording studio, which became popular among:

• Voice artists
• Musicians
• Media professionals

He also began training aspiring:

• News anchors
• Journalists
• Emcees
• Voice-over artists

For Narang, voice is not just sound - it is discipline.

He has often emphasized that “voice is the biggest asset of communication.”

Voice Training Philosophy

Shammi Narang believes that anyone can improve their voice with the right practice.

Some of his recommended habits include:

• Daily recitation exercises
• Proper breathing techniques
• Yoga and meditation
• Avoiding strain on vocal cords
• Using simple, clear language

Interestingly, on Hindi Day in 2016, he stated that Hindi learning should not become a burden for young people and difficult words should be replaced with simple, commonly used vocabulary.

This philosophy aligns perfectly with metro announcements clear, simple, accessible language.

The Psychological Impact of a Familiar Voice

In crowded metro systems, announcements are more than informational tools. They influence commuter behaviour.

A calm, recognisable voice can:

• Reduce panic during delays
• Encourage discipline near doors
• Reinforce safety messages
• Maintain crowd order

Over time, passengers associate certain voices with trust and reliability.

In that sense, Shammi Narang’s voice has become part of India’s urban rhythm as constant as station stops and platform signals.

A Voice That Travels Across Cities

What makes Narang’s contribution unique is its geographical reach.

From Delhi to Mumbai, from Jaipur to Hyderabad, his voice travels across different languages, cultures and commuter behaviours yet remains consistent.

This consistency strengthens:

• Brand identity of metro systems
• Passenger familiarity
• Operational standardisation

Few voice artists in India have achieved this scale of everyday presence.

More Than Just Metro Announcements

Beyond metro systems and broadcasting, Narang has:

• Compered national events
• Lent his voice to heritage audio guides
• Participated in theatre
• Contributed to advertising campaigns

He has also appeared in interviews discussing the evolution of Indian television news and voice culture.

Yet for millions of daily commuters, he remains simply:

“The metro voice.”

Why Shammi Narang’s Story Matters Today

In a day driven by visual media and social platforms, auditory identity is sometimes overlooked.

But urban transport depends heavily on it.

Clear announcements are critical for:

• Passenger safety
• Accessibility
• Crowd management
• System efficiency

As metro networks expand across India, the role of trained voice professionals becomes even more important.

Shammi Narang represents a generation of disciplined broadcasters whose training in pronunciation, language purity and vocal control shaped modern public communication systems.

The Voice You Hear Every Day

Most metro commuters may never meet Shammi Narang.

But every day, millions hear him.

When doors close.

When stations approach.

When safety reminders play.

His voice moves with the city.

And perhaps that is the most unique kind of fame to be recognised without being seen.

Final Thoughts

“Please mind the gap.”

A simple sentence.

A routine instruction.

Yet delivered by a voice that has quietly shaped India’s metro experience.

Shammi Narang’s journey from engineering graduate to Doordarshan anchor to India’s metro voice is not just a biography. It is a story about the power of communication in everyday life.

The next time you step into a metro coach and hear that familiar announcement, you’ll know the story behind the voice guiding your journey.