The Journey of Ramoji Rao: A Life of Unmatched Achievements

Born into a middle-class family, he left an indelible mark in every field he entered. Starting as a farmer's son, he rose to become a successful businessman. As the leader of media organizations, he aimed for public welfare. Despite being an ordinary person, he rose to extraordinary heights. By introducing 'Annadata' magazine, he became a beloved friend to farmers. Introducing media organizations, he earned the trust of the Telugu people. He ventured into the chit-fund business and became synonymous with trust. By establishing Ramoji Film City, he placed Telugu land on the global map.

He made significant contributions to the development of the Telugu language, ensuring his services remain eternal. These are the triumphant milestones in the life journey of Ramoji Rao, the head of Ramoji Group, who passed away on Saturday morning due to ill health.

From Ramaiah to Ramoji Rao

Ramoji Rao was born on November 16, 1936, in a middle-class farmer's family in Pedaparupudi near Gudivada in Krishna district. He was initially named 'Ramaiah' after his grandfather. However, when he went to school, he told the teacher his name was Ramoji Rao, surprising his family. He completed his high school education in 1951 and studied Intermediate at Gudivada College, later completing his B.Sc. there. During his studies, he was a member of the Communist Party and admired Mahatma Gandhi.

On August 19, 1961, he married Tatineni Ramadevi from Penamaluru. After marriage, they moved to Delhi, where Ramoji worked as an artist. In 1962, after the birth of his first son, Kiran, he left his job in Delhi to enter the business world.

Chit Fund Friend

With a farming background, Ramoji Rao established Margadarsi Chit Fund in Hyderabad in 1962 with just two employees. To promote Margadarsi, he set up Kiran Ads, the first government-recognized ad agency in Hyderabad. Soon, Margadarsi expanded, and now it operates 113 branches in four states, serving over 300,000 customers with more than 4,100 employees and over 18,000 agents.

Launching 'Annadata' Magazine in 1969

Coming from a farming family, Ramoji Rao started the 'Annadata' monthly magazine in 1969 to teach modern farming techniques to farmers. The magazine quickly won the hearts of Telugu farmers and became a favorite in modern agriculture. Every year, the magazine gifts a free diary to its subscribers. Later, he also established the Dolphin Hotel in Visakhapatnam.

The Seed for 'Eenadu' Newspaper

In the 1970s, newspapers were printed only in Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Ramoji Rao mentioned to K.L.N. Prasad, founder of Andhra Jyothi, the delay in delivering newspapers to Visakhapatnam. Unable to agree with Prasad's reasoning, Ramoji decided to start his own newspaper in Visakhapatnam. He acquired an old printing machine and launched 'Eenadu' on August 10, 1974. Within a year, 'Eenadu' circulation in Hyderabad surpassed 50,000, and by 1979, it reached 100,000 across multiple editions.

Local News Focus in 'Eenadu'

Ramoji Rao gave a unique touch to local news by publishing district-specific tabloids, which greatly attracted the Telugu community. This initiative also won him the prestigious B.D. Goenka Award for journalism.

Ushakiran Movies for Film Production

Ramoji Rao also succeeded in the film industry. He established Ushakiran Movies for film production and Mayuri Distributors for film distribution, helping small producers. His films like 'Srivariki Premalekha', 'Pratighatana', and 'Mayuri' were significant hits, making a mark in the film industry.

Entry into Television with ETV

Ramoji Rao entered the television industry with the launch of ETV in April 1995. Starting with entertainment, ETV also gave importance to news broadcasts and later expanded into multiple languages with various channels.

Kalanjali and Priya Products

In the same year as ETV's launch, Ramoji Group started Kalanjali for selling handicrafts and Priya Foods for producing pickles and cooking oils, establishing a significant presence both domestically and internationally.

Ramoji Film City

Observing the challenges faced by film producers, Ramoji Rao envisioned a comprehensive facility for all filmmaking needs, leading to the creation of Ramoji Film City. Spread over 1,666 acres, it is the world's largest film studio, inaugurated in October 1996, and listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Prefers Being a Kingmaker

Ramoji Rao preferred being a kingmaker rather than a king. He played a significant role in N.T. Rama Rao's political campaigns and supported N.T.R.'s government against opposition. Although he was closely involved in politics, he never sought political positions himself.

Uncompromising Stance

Ramoji Rao was known for his determination. He never compromised on his principles, even when faced with challenges from the film industry or legal issues regarding Margadarsi Finance. He fought through these challenges with unwavering resolve.

Unyielding in His Goals

Ramoji Rao's dictionary did not include the word 'compromise.' He believed that compromising was akin to suicide and lived his life without yielding to any pressure. His determination and resilience made him a role model, earning him the Padma Vibhushan award from the Government of India in 2016.

Tribute to an Extraordinary Leader

Ramoji Rao, who started as an ordinary individual and rose to extraordinary heights, stands as an inspiration and guide to many. AP7AM pays tribute to this great personality who elevated the Telugu community's pride on a global stage.