Remembering Ramoji Rao Garu, Our Chairman, Who Lived And Breathed Professionalism

I had the honour of working with this legend for more than six years. Through our interactions on editorial standpoint and our coverage, I could sense the creativity and passion with which he worked, meticulously reviewing the matters, and offering valuable insights that reflected the depth of his experience as someone who had seen the heights of success while remaining grounded to his roots.

Hyderabad: Ramoji Rao Garu, our Chairman, is no more. It has been more than 24 hours since he passed away but we at ETV Bharat are still unable to digest the news since for most of us, it is a personal loss that has shaken everyone to the core.

Even at 87, the alacrity and mindfulness with which our Chairman Garu led us from the front, epitomised this towering personality's life. Until his last breath, he oversaw ETV Bharat and kept himself abreast with the network's coverage across India. He offered similar advice and guidance to leaders of Eenadu and ETV Network, the other media companies under Ramoji Group.

A doyen of journalism, among the array of his significant achievements was making possible for scribes to cover stories in their mother tongue. This changed the entire landscape of Telugu journalism, ensuring impactful and timely reportage from the farthest corners. The transformation of vernacular press Ramoji Rao Garu led from the front, would make Eenadu the most profound voice of the voiceless, soon after its launch in 1974.

I had the honour of working with this legend for more than six years now. Through our interactions on editorial standpoint and our coverage, I could sense the creativity and passion with which he worked, meticulously reviewing the matters, and offering valuable insights that reflected the depth of his experience as someone who had seen the heights of success while remaining grounded to his roots.

Being a media man, creativity was as natural to him as breathing, and his insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge would guarantee him success. While he enjoyed experimenting, his ability to be a meticulous planner made him the doyen of his field and charted his journey from a successful entrepreneur to a business tycoon.

When digital media was first introduced in this region, Ramoji Rao Garu already had a strategy locked and loaded, which he managed to put into action using the modern infrastructure and technology available. He was the first media professional in India to develop a vast end-to-end digital news platform, ETV Bharat, that serves content in 13 Indian languages, including English, demonstrating his foresight that digital media would eventually take over.

Courtesy of Chairman Garu's insight, ETV Bharat revolutionised the idea of convergent journalism with its expansive network of reporters and stringers, equipped with mobile devices fitted with video editing software to provide live news from any location, and at any time.

He was a great planner and could foresee the results before investing in any venture. "My loyalty is with people" is what he would often say when a team had to be inducted in a system. He firmly believed in the idea of learning by doing, and any new person joining a senior position would need to prove his craft. He would put him on a daily grind, but at the same time support taking the initiative and appreciate the energies dedicated towards journalism.

Mentor to some renowned journalists and filmmakers, his love for guiding and putting people on tracks leading to success, secured him a place in the hearts of thousands of people. How to strike a balance between judgment and etiquette and make careful decisions based on objective reasoning was a skill ingrained in him. While speaking to people, Ramoji Rao Garu would choose phrases that were so appropriate that the listener would fully understand the conversation and at the same time be able to absorb the feedback provided without hurting anyone's sentiments. His natural affinity to talk about people-centric matters at joint meetings demonstrated his respect and affection for impactful journalism.

As a philanthropist, he supported the underprivileged and helped them pursue their goals and gain the knowledge they needed to become independent. He would encourage and fund deserving students so they can become self-reliant. His editorials would express his views on free speech and democratic independence. He would exercise the right to free speech within the organisation, as all those reporting to him enjoyed the freedom within the realms of journalistic ethics.

The organisation's vision document, which places a high value on impartiality, integrity, and accuracy, is made available to the group employees during the induction process. To ensure that everyone understood the journalistic principles upheld by the organisation, Ramoji Rao Garu would repeat them in every meeting.

The idea of free, fearless and objective journalism thrived under him as he never let the businessman in him have a conflict with the resolute journalist that he was. Journalists in India and beyond would remember his contributions, and his work would inspire them for years to come. A multitude of honour, integrity and professionalism, Ramoji Rao Garu will be remembered now and forever.