CM Naidu pays tribute to Ramoji Rao on 2nd death anniversary
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on June 8, 2026 paid tribute to Eenadu founder Ramoji Rao on his second death anniversary, honouring him as an epoch-maker in Telugu media who treated journalism as social responsibility, not business.
Key Takeaways
Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to Ramoji Rao on his second death anniversary on June 8, 2026 .
Naidu described Ramoji Rao as an epoch-maker in the media arena and a warrior of the written word for the Telugu nation.
Ramoji Rao founded the Telugu daily Eenadu in 1974 , building it into one of the most influential regional newspapers in India.
Naidu cited Ramoji Rao's guiding belief that journalism is a social responsibility, not a business.
Ramoji Rao rose from a humble family background to build a media empire that includes Eenadu and Ramoji Film City .
The CM called on every Telugu person to remember Ramoji Rao, saying his glory is immortal.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, June 8, 2026, paid solemn tribute to media pioneer Ramoji Rao on the occasion of his second death anniversary, honouring the founder of the Eenadu media group as a towering figure of Telugu identity and journalism.
Context
Posting in Telugu on X, Chief Minister Naidu described Ramoji Rao as 'తెలుగు జాతి గర్వించదగ్గ మహనీయుడు' ('a great man of whom the Telugu nation is proud') and as 'మీడియా రంగంలో ఓ యుగకర్త, అక్షర యోధుడు' ('an epoch-maker in the media arena, a warrior of the written word'). The Chief Minister called on every Telugu person to remember Ramoji Rao on this anniversary, saying his glory is immortal.
Naidu noted that Ramoji Rao rose from a humble family background to scale extraordinary heights, shaping media as a platform for public awareness. He described the journey as one driven by values, discipline, commitment, and courage — an inspiration for generations to come.
Policy Backdrop
Ramoji Rao founded Eenadu in 1974, building it into one of the most influential Telugu-language daily newspapers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He also developed Ramoji Film City near Hyderabad into one of the world's largest integrated film production facilities.
In his tribute, Naidu quoted Ramoji Rao's own philosophy directly: 'పత్రికా రంగం అంటే వ్యాపారం కాదు...సామాజిక బాధ్యత' — 'journalism is not a business... it is a social responsibility.' This ethos, Naidu said, was not merely professed but practised, making Ramoji Rao an idealist who delivered media institutions that the Telugu people take pride in.
Stakeholders and Impact
Ramoji Rao's media legacy touches millions of Telugu readers and viewers across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as the Telugu diaspora worldwide. His institutions are credited with shaping public discourse and regional identity through decades of Telugu journalism.
For Telugu journalists and media professionals, Ramoji Rao remains a foundational reference point — a figure who demonstrated that regional-language journalism could achieve both scale and social purpose. Chief Minister Naidu's tribute underscores the continued reverence for this legacy in political and public life.
What's Next
Death anniversaries of prominent Telugu cultural figures typically prompt commemorative gatherings at associated institutions, and Ramoji Film City along with the Eenadu group's premises are likely venues for remembrance events. Statements from other political leaders across party lines in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are also expected on such occasions.
As Ramoji Rao's legacy continues to define standards for regional media in India, his anniversaries serve as a recurring moment for Telugu public figures to reaffirm the values of socially responsible journalism he championed.
Point of View
The homage carries additional weight given the historical interplay between the Eenadu group and Telugu political movements over several decades. By foregrounding Ramoji Rao's philosophy that journalism is social responsibility rather than commerce, Naidu is also implicitly signalling a value framework he wishes to associate with his own administration. The tribute thus serves simultaneously as personal remembrance, cultural affirmation, and a subtle statement on media ethics in contemporary Andhra Pradesh.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ramoji Rao's death anniversary?
June 8, 2026 marks the second death anniversary of Ramoji Rao, as observed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in his tribute post on X.
What did Chandrababu Naidu say about Ramoji Rao?
CM Naidu called Ramoji Rao an epoch-maker in the media arena and a warrior of the written word, crediting him with shaping media as a platform for public awareness and describing his legacy as an eternal inspiration for the Telugu people.
What is Eenadu newspaper?
Eenadu is a Telugu-language daily newspaper founded by Ramoji Rao in 1974. It grew into one of the most widely read and influential regional newspapers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Why do Telugu leaders pay tribute to Ramoji Rao?
Ramoji Rao is regarded as a foundational figure in Telugu journalism and cultural identity. Indian regional leaders regularly honour prominent media and cultural personalities on their death anniversaries to affirm connections with state heritage and public memory.
