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RAMOJI RAO

WHO IS HE?  Cherukuri Ramoji Rao is an Indian businessman, film producer, educationist, journalist and media entrepreneur.  Pa Vibhushan ( second highest civilian honour) for literature, journalism and education.  Head of Ramoji group

RAMOJI RAO TIMELINE Born 16 November 1936 to a humble and poor family

Artist at advertising firm in 1950s in Delhi

1961 : marriage and return to Hyderabad

1962: Margadarsi Chit funds from wedding money

Money from chit funds= ETV, Ushakiran, Images(outdoor ad)

1974- Eenadu

Now, Ramoji Film city, Priya Foods, Dolphin, Kalanjali, ETV, etc.

RAMOJI RAO AND POLITICS  ed and campaigned for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) by Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (also known as NTR) in 1994 election.  Eenadu, which sold 5 lakh copies in a day, propogated and campaigned heavily for the Telugu Desam Party or TDP which lead to its victory.  Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) was sent a bill for 30 lakh for his services.  Called one of the country’s biggest media barons.

CONTROVERSIES  Fierce competition with YS Rajashekhara Reddy (YSR) in form of Sakshi newspaper  Sakshi discredited and exposed Ramoji Rao’s ill practices.  Priya foods: expired pickles with new labels sent with Eenadu Sunday magazine  Chit scam: Margadarsi not incorporated and collecting money without legal stions. A crime is commited by diverting the money in to media as per the RBI regulations.

ETV NETWORK  Started in 1995 with one news channel  Grew to 15 channels in various languages like Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Urdu, etc.  ETV network sold to TV18 (Reliance owned) in 2013  However, Telugu language channels are still owned and operated by them.

RAMOJI FILM CITY  Started in 1996, it is the largest film city in the world  Hosts a theme park with 1.5 million tourists  Ramoji Academy of Film and Television, offers degree in filmmaking and several media programs.  Ramoji Rao on film city to Outlook “ it is my last project, that’s why I named it after myself . Ultimately, you see, I am a selfish man. I would like to leave something behind that I can call my own.”

MARGADARSI CHIT FUNDS  Founded in 1962 in a small office with two people working  Chit funds:- A saving scheme Chit group refers to a specified number of agreeing to subscribe a specified amount for a specified period. For example, 30 , 40 months, Rs.500/a month. Every month, one subscriber will get the collected amount based on a bidding system  Today, it has 4300 employees, 8000 agents, 105 branches and over 3 ,45,000 subscribers.  Turnover of 7750 crores.  No 1 chit fund company in Andhra Pradesh

EENADU

EENADU  Launched on 10th August 1974, because of insult from KLN Prasad of Andhra Jyoti  Second hand printing machines of Rs. 96,000 and in an abandoned cinema studio.  Printed 4000 copies for the first circulation  Appointed ABK Prasad as editor but Ramoji Rao took on an hour before the first edition went to print.  ‘Eenadu ‘ meaning today.

EENADU  Targeted villages and rural areas  Started a column called Rythe Raaju ( the farmer is king)  Made up of common man or greenhorns, as termed by ABK Prasad.  Mixed news, both national and international news on front page  Started local advertising on front page, a breakthrough

EENADU  Had from Jalagam Vengal Rao, then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh  Emergency = boon to Eenadu, circulation reached 12000 copies  Hyderabad edition launched in December 1975  1976 =circulation of 48339 copies  1978, Vijaywada edition and becoming number one newspaper in Andhra Pradesh

EENADU  Asociation with Telugu Desam Party and Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR)  A photographer and reporter of Eenadu was always with NTR and captured things like shaving and bathing on roadside.  Shekhar Yelamanchi, fromer reporter appointed to write speeches  Preditcted 175-225 seats of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and 50-80 seats of Congress  Front page editorial on polling day “ Create history in Telugu Desam”.

EENADU  Result = Telugu Desam party won with 202 seats out of 293 seats  Front page results with Headline “ Telugu Desam, a super hit!”  Indira Gandhi “: Who says NTR has won. It is Ramoji Rao who has won.”  1983-84, newspaper was not making profits  Tariff increased

EENADU  1989, it took on Telugu Desam party and regarded Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao as whimsical, autocratic and megalomaniacal  “Minis” or district dailies introduced  Each Mini had matrimonial and real estate ments, another breakthrough.  Anti arrack movement in Nellore, 1991.

EENADU  When movement was declining, Eenadu came into  Rao wrote 21 signed front page editorials over two years.  Special desk, along with reporter, chief sub editor and dedicated editor devoted.  Special page “ Saara Pai Samaram” (War on arrack)

EENADU  Thrashed Udayam , a competitor ran By Congress MP and liquor baron, Magunta Subbarami reddy  Eenadu called a political forum on Arrack issue in 1993  It recommended Telugu Desam Party to take the issue  TDP took it and included it in its political manifesto for elections  TDP won and Magunta Subbarami Reddy ‘s liquor business and Udayam shut down in 1995

EENADU  Cartoon war against Lakshmi Parvathi, wife of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao.  Soon, Chandrababu Naidu started a coup against NTR and became the Chief Minister  s Naidu and even had a front page defaming Jagan Mohan Reddy with the headline “Jagan Will Be Jailed In A Year”  Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy or YSR’s project of outer ring road of Hyderabad criticized citing it benefited his family more than people.

EENADU  Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy launched “Sakshi “ at Rs 60 per month, leading to beating Eenadu with a print of 12.71 lakh against Eenadu’s 12 lakh.  Jagan Mohan was blamed for attracting investors against political favors by Eenadu  CBI arrested Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2012 under prevention of corruption act  Employee firing and rehiring because of Majithia wage board recommendations.

EENADU TIMELINE

EENADU TIMELINE

MY OPINION  Eenadu = main business of Ramoji Rao  Eenadu defines the term “watchdog”  It uses the current affairs and loopholes in any political party for its benefits  A bit costly compared to other papers in Bombay (Rs. 5)  Good design, colors used aptly, nice use of infographics at required places

REFERENCES  Donthi, P. (2014, December 01). Chairman Rao. Retrieved July 20, 2016, from http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/chairman-rao  Eenadu Epaper Telugu News. (2014). Retrieved July 20, 2016, from http://www.indianinfo.in/news/eenadu-epaper-telugu-news/  Parthasarathy, R. (1989). Journalism in India: From the earliest times to the present day. New Delhi: Sterling. Retrieved on July 30, 2016  Ravindranath, P. K. (2005). Indian regional journalism. Delhi: Authorspress. Retrieved on July 30, 2016.  Sri Ramoji Rao. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2016, from http://www.mbarendezvous.com/motivational-story/sri-ramoji-rao/

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