A MAN OF TELUGUS PRIDE, LEGEND RAMOJI RAO PASSES AWAY

••HIS NAME EMERGED AS A BRAND

He was a Communist, Capitalist, Humanist, and Giant  

Patibandla Srinivas

([email protected])

Amaravati: A man of Telugus’ pride, a rare legend, business tycoon, Eenadu Group chairman Cherukuri Ramoji Rao (88) passed away at Star Hospital in Hyderabad while undergoing treatment at 4.50 am in the early hours on Saturday. He is survived by wife Rama Devi, son Kiran, daughter-in-law Sailaja Kiran and Vijaya Suman, and other family members. He created an empire with various business establishments like Images Advertising Agency, Annadaata monthly magazine exclusively for farmers, Eenadu Newspaper, E-TV in 8 languages, E-TV Bharath Digital Platform, Chatura, Vipula, Sitara magazines, Margadarsi Chit Fund, Priya Foods, Dolphin Group of Hotels, Ramoji Film City, Ramadevi Public School and Kalanjali showrooms. He produced 87 movies under the Usha Kiran banner and introduced several prominent artists. Thousands of artists got opportunities on the TV platform because of his efforts. He provided lakhs of jobs across the country. He started News Time English Newspaper but it could not get success.

In his early days, he started a fertiliser business also. He established businesses everywhere and in every sector with his unique qualities by creating a hardworking and disciplined atmosphere.  

He was born in Pedaparupudi village in Krishna district. His family members’ village is Perisepalli and later shifted to Pedaparupudi village. Both are in proximity to Gudiwada and Machilipatnam towns. He completed his schooling in the native village and later completed intermediate and graduation in Gudiwada. Indeed, his original name is Ramaiah. But he changed his name to Ramoji Rao by himself in school. After completion of his studies, he took training in the advertising sector. Simultaneously he started a fertiliser business also. Slowly he started an advertising agency and Annadaata magazine. He started EENADU Telugu Newspaper in 1974 at Visakhapatnam with a vision to provide news in the morning time at doorsteps as an innovative idea. In those days, newspapers were available in towns and cities at particular shops. The people also used to buy papers standing in queues. The people of villages and small towns had only to get the newspapers in the evening time or a day later. But Ramoji Rao created a history by delivering the newspaper at doorsteps. He started many editions at various cities in the State and across the country and local editions including exclusive pages for different sections of news sectors. He used to read all news editions of his newspaper every day and mark comments on reports of journalists including compliments and suggestions.  Journalists used to eagerly wait for the marked copy.

Ramoji Rao was a communist thought-processed man but he emerged as a big business tycoon. The employees of Ramoji group feel proud to work in his organisation. The employees of his group get salaries on the first day of every month without delay as a record. The Margadarsi Chit Fund Company also never failed to repay at least a single depositor or chit holder during its decades-old service. Though the governments tried to defame the image of Ramoji Rao by filing false complaints against him, the customers of Margadarsi never deviated from their relationship. It is trust and confidence in the brand value of Ramoji Rao. Indeed, Ramoji Rao emerged as a brand for any business or establishment.

Moreover, he was the guru for many politicians in the country. Right from Childhood he was ideologically connected to the Communist ideology. As a result, he extensively supported the TDP in 1983 against the then Congress government and its undemocratic functioning. Recently he also faced serious threats from the YSR Congress government led by YS Jagan’s government. The then Congress government also harassed him by filing cases against the Margadarsi but a single depositor did not complain against him.  

He got applause and respect from many leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was awarded the country’s second-highest honour Padma Vibhushan. He was also honored with doctorates from various universities. He encouraged Chandrababu Naidu in his early days in politics. Several employees who worked in Eenadu also worked for legislative houses.

His Ramoji Film City got recognition as the world’s biggest film studio. The movie producer could enter the film city with cash and come out with movie box. He created a new film world on the Hyderabad’s outskirts. He constructed houses, old age homes and schools for victims of earthquakes after Tsunamis. His group of companies donated a huge amount of money for various activities.