Today, India bids farewell to one of its most influential industrialists and media moguls. Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, born on November 16, 1936, in Pedaparupudi, Krishna District, hailed from a middle-class agrarian family. Over five decades, he transformed media, entertainment, and politics through his ventures like Eenadu and Ramoji Film City. Here are some key milestones from his remarkable journey:
- In 1947, he joined Gudivada Municipal High School and continued until 1951.
- He completed his Intermediate and BSc at Gudivada College, then worked in Delhi at an ad agency.
- He married Tatineni Ramadevi on August 19, 1961.
- He moved to Hyderabad in 1962 and founded Margadarsi Chit Fund in October the same year.
- In 1965, he launched Kiran Ads, and from 1967 to 1969, he was involved with Vasundhara Fertilizers.
- He started Annadata magazine in 1969 and Images Outdoor Advertising Agency in 1970.
- Dolphin Hotel in Visakhapatnam was inaugurated as a three-star hotel on June 21, 1980.
- Eenadu, the daily newspaper, was launched on August 10, 1974, followed by Margadarsi Marketing on August 12.
- The Hyderabad edition of Eenadu began on December 17, 1975.
- Sitara magazine started on October 3, 1976, focusing on cinema journalism.
- Monthly magazines Chatura and Vipula were launched in February 1978.
- Priya Foods was launched on February 9, 1980.
- Ushakiran Movies, a film production banner, was established on March 2, 1983.
- Ramoji Film City, the world’s largest film city, was founded in 1996.
- Eenadu School of Journalism started in 1990.
- Ramoji Rao played a role in enforcing prohibition against moonshine in 1992-1993.
- ETV, with six regional channels, was launched on January 27, 2002.
- Ramadevi Public School was inaugurated on June 20, 2002.
- He initiated the first step towards the Information Act on April 14, 2008.
- He was nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Swachh Bharat campaign on December 25, 2014.
- Four additional ETV channels were launched on November 14, 2015.
Today, the nation mourns the peaceful departure of Ramoji Rao. Om Shanti.