Ramoji Rao: Shaped the Future of Telugu Media and Beyond

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Posted by admin on 2024-12-24 08:27:47 |

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Ramoji Rao,the visionary behind the media empire that includes Eenadu, ETV,and ETV Bharat, passed away at the age of 87 on Saturday, leaving behindan indelible mark on Indian media. Widely regarded as a media pioneer, Raoreshaped the landscape of print, electronic, and digital media, influencinggenerations of readers and viewers across the country. His remarkable journeyas a media magnate is defined by innovation, experimentation, and a deepcommitment to social responsibility. Along with his professional achievements,Rao's personal life and family played a significant role in shaping his legacy.

EarlyLife and Family Background

Ramoji Raowas born on November 16, 1936, into a farming family in the town of Mogalthur,located in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Raised in a ruralenvironment, Rao’s early experiences on the farm deeply influenced his futureendeavors in media. Understanding the challenges faced by farmers and ruralcommunities, he became passionate about providing them with knowledge andresources that could transform their lives. His humble beginnings instilled inhim a strong sense of empathy and social responsibility, which would becomecentral to his career in media.

Ramoji Rao'sfamily played an integral role in his life and career. His wife, Shanta, hasbeen a supportive partner throughout his journey, and together they raised afamily that has continued his work. Their son, Ramoji, Jr., has followed in hisfather's footsteps, contributing to the continued growth of the family’s mediaempire. The Rao family has remained a close-knit unit, with each membersupporting and furthering the values of innovation, integrity, and socialimpact that Ramoji Rao championed throughout his life.

EarlyBeginnings in Media

Ramoji Rao’smedia journey began in 1969 with the launch of Annadata, a monthlymagazine aimed at empowering farmers. The magazine bridged the gap betweenagricultural science centers and rural communities, providing crucialinformation on advanced farming techniques, agricultural machinery, and modernmethods of cultivation. Annadata inspired countless farmers to adoptinnovative practices, forever changing the landscape of rural agriculture.

RevolutionizingTelugu Journalism: The Birth of Eenadu

In 1974,Ramoji Rao made a monumental move by launching Eenadu, a newspaper thatwould go on to become the most widely circulated Telugu daily. Starting inVisakhapatnam, Eenadu rapidly gained popularity and made its way intothe homes of Telugu readers across the state, including the most remote areas.

Through Eenadu,Ramoji Rao introduced a radical shift in the way news was delivered to readers.Committed to truth, public issues, and a relentless drive for change, Eenadubecame a platform that reflected local concerns. The newspaper’s tagline, “Letnews reach before dawn,” revolutionized the delivery of newspapers, ensuringthat readers received timely news in the early hours of the morning. Rao'sbelief that newspapers should reflect the lives of ordinary people, especiallythose in remote villages, set Eenadu apart as a publication committed tosocial change.

ChampioningDemocracy and Social Responsibility

Ramoji Rao'sleadership of Eenadu was not just about delivering news; it was aboutshaping public opinion and standing up for democratic values. During politicalupheavals, such as the 1984 overthrow of NTR’s government and the rise of theTelugu Desam Party (TDP), Eenadu fearlessly voiced its support for therestoration of democracy. It consistently championed the cause of the people,whether it was highlighting the plight of farmers or taking a stand againstpolitical dictatorship.

In 1992, Eenadubecame a champion of social causes, providing financial support to victims ofnatural disasters and initiating grassroots movements. Over the years, it hasremained deeply involved in community welfare, from advocating for liquorprohibition in Nellore to mobilizing people for village infrastructure repairs.Rao's media platforms became a trusted source of information and a tool forsocietal change.

Innovationsin Publishing and Media Expansion

Ramoji Rao’scontributions were not limited to journalism alone. In 1976, he launched Sitara,a weekly supplement to Eenadu dedicated to the film industry. Sitarabecame a valuable platform for movie lovers and was instrumental in recognizingthe achievements of talented actors and technicians. Rao’s efforts in promotingthe Telugu film industry through media were groundbreaking, and Sitarabecame a cherished magazine for film enthusiasts.

Ramoji Raoalso pioneered district editions of Eenadu, which prioritized local newsand addressed the concerns of the underprivileged. He introduced the culture ofclassified advertisements in Telugu journalism, providing people with animportant tool to communicate effectively. Furthermore, he began severalspecialized pages like Vasundhara for women, Raithe Raju for farmers, andPratibha for students, catering to the diverse needs of society.

ETV:Revolutionizing Television in Telugu

Ramoji Rao’ssuccess story continued in the realm of electronic media with the launch of ETVin 1995, the first 24-hour Telugu television channel. ETV quickly became ahousehold name, known not only for its entertainment content but also for itseducational and socially relevant programming. Shows like Padutha Teeyaga,under the leadership of SP Balasubrahmanyam, discovered countless talentedsingers, while Annadata educated farmers on modern agriculturaltechniques.

ETV alsoexpanded its reach beyond Telugu-speaking audiences, launching channels invarious languages, including Bangla, Marathi, Kannada, Urdu, and more. In 2003,the launch of ETV-2, a dedicated news channel, further strengthened Rao’s mediaempire, ensuring that Telugu-speaking audiences had access to reliable andtimely news.

PioneeringDigital Media with ETV Bharat

Ramoji Rao’sforesight led him to embrace digital media long before others in the industry.In 1999, Eenadu.net was launched, providing online news to a globalTelugu audience. ETV Bharat, the largest digital platform in Telugu, became amajor force in Indian digital media, offering news in 13 languages and servingas a trusted source of information for millions.

Recognizingthe future of entertainment, Rao expanded his digital offerings with ETV BalaBharat, catering to children, and launched the ETV Win OTT platform, bringingexciting web series and classic films to a new generation of viewers.

Legacyand Impact

Ramoji Rao’slegacy as a media mogul is built on his ability to innovate, adapt, and remaindeeply committed to social responsibility. Through his work in print,television, and digital media, he not only transformed Telugu media but alsotouched the lives of millions across India. His relentless pursuit ofexcellence, combined with his commitment to serving the public, made Ramoji Raoa true pioneer and a beloved figure in the world of media.

Ramoji Rao’sdeath marks the end of an era in Indian media, but his contributions willcontinue to inspire generations to come. His influence on the media industrywill be felt for years, as the empire he built lives on, a testament to hisvision and dedication. His family, too, continues to play a key role inmaintaining his legacy, with the next generation ensuring that his values ofinnovation, responsibility, and public service endure.

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