1. Ramoji Rao is a first generation entrepreneur. His interest includes Media, Press, Hotels, Finance, food processing and many more. He aims to be No.1 in what ever business venture he starts. Eenadu, Margadarsi, Priya and ETV are some of the well recognised brands in AP with a reputation. But ETV and Ramoji Film city have proved to be his biggest failures financially.
2. Until 1980's Congress was a monopoly in Andhra Politics. It was a general feeling with average Telugu / Andhraite at the time, that Congress politicians have mortgaged Andhra pride / Self respect (Atmagowravam), in Delhi for their mean goals. During those volatile times, NT RamaRao the star matinee Idol started Telugu Desam Party with "self respect" slogan
3. Ramoji Rao is a staunch supporter of NTR and may be ideologist of Telugu Desam Party. His Eenadu is a catalyst for NTR's stunning victory. Though NTR himself may not be directly responsible, his arrival in politicsl scene split the already ultra-sensitive Andhra Pradesh society on caste basis. The equations are so strong that the Telugu associations in US and else where in world have split on those lines. It is an unwritten fact that today, individuals /families in Andhra Pradesh align with Congress and TDP on caste lines.
4. From 1983 till 2003, TDP ruled the state expect for few years. During this period, when Chandrababu Naidu (CBN) politically stabbed NTR (his father in law), Ramoji Rao signalled his support to CBN
5. NTR though treated as an icon and legend today by both CBN and Ramoji Rao, died a lonely man. Subsequent to NTR's death, as CBN's power reached pinnacle Ramoji Rao's empire also expanded unabated without any checks. Under the "Hitech" umbrella, CBN with less than couple of acres inherited property, amassed crores in lands and wealth. Ramoji Rao and his media provided the much need sugar coating under the "development". It is a known fact that in 9 year CBN rule, not a single scam is reported in Eenadu. As a result, over a period Ramoji Rao, due to his passive bias, developed enemies in Congress and with the castes associated with Congress
6. When TDP lost power, Ramoji Rao suddenly realised the vacuum. He could not digest a Congress rule in AP. Soon after Congress Govt formed, Eenadu started attack on the Govt and YSR in specific. This tested YSR's patience and wisdom for a long time. In the end, head on battle was inevitable, for which Ramoji Rao is solely responsible.
7. After waiting for year and half, Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and his Congress started a counter attack. Undavalli Arunkumar, considered to be an intelligent but low profile YSR confident made public allegations that Margadarsi, Ramoji's finance company violated laws and collected crores of rupees in deposits from public. When Margadarsi was formed, Rao did not violate any law. However, Rao did not adhere to new laws enacted in 1997. These laws have been enacted by Federal Govt, specifically to protect the individuals from exactly the type of company, Rao is running shadily. Being ignorant of bigger plot, Ramoji Rao at first dismissed the allegations (out of arrogance) and later denied any wrong doing (as cover up). The more Rao resisted, Arunkumar attacked with additional facts.
8. As things started to unfold, RBI and Federal Finance ministry have confirmed the violation of laws. They have reminded Govt of AP of it's powers to take action on Margadarsi. AP Govt moved in a calculated way to close on Margadarsi.
9. For CBN it is time to pay back his gratitude to his mentor. For opposition, it is a good political opportunity. Though it is a open secret that the motive of YSR Govt is to shut Eeenadu mouth, YSR did a good homework, until a stupid GO 938 issued (limiting the press freedom) and withdrawn quickly. Meanwhile Rao's options are running out. He got a huge financial hole in company books (as confirmed by Rangachari commission). He had no option but to sell a part of his group's equity to Blackstone. Though Rao says Blackstone invested in his company, it is fact that Rao had sold part of his stake to survive
10. This issue is now getting out of proposition. Ramoji Rao is running out of options. To protect his crumbling empire, Rao is trying to hide under his Editor umbrella. He wanted to make general public to believe that this issue is nothing but, direct attack on press. Though he could bring people like N Ram and Kuldeep Nayyar on his side to justify his argument, it made little difference. Though it is difficult to understand what is the benefit for them, rest of the political parties are trying their best to gain political mileage. Supreme Court ruled out that there is no link between investigation and perceived attack on Eeendu.
Update since 2008:
11. Since Undavalli Arun Kumar allegations, the Government of Andhra Pradesh started an official enquiry. After some court battles - finally the Supreme Court given permission to launch formal charges.
12. Meanwhile, YS Jaganmohan Reddy son of YS Rajasekhar Reddy started a Telugu daily news paper "Sakshi". Sakshi emerged as a counter force to take on primarily Eenadu (and Ramoji Rao's empire) and also other telegu news paper "Andhra Jyothy". Both these news papers are perceived as anti-government in their approach.
13. A war started in mid-April between all these news papers primarily to expose the dark side of the owners.
14. War has started... in AP media. What ever may be the end result - it looks possible that the reader have the benefit of knowing the other side of the gentlemen who have been ruling them saintly for decades.
7 comments:
sir,
you people are raising voice in favour of Ramoji Rao
of Etv in the name of freedom of press.
but This is his contribution for press freedom.
Sir I made to pay 50,000 through court order by him
sir
read this story and if possible try to bring our
problem to the notice of ramoji rao.
From;
a young journalist from Karnataka
Respected Sir,
This is a peculiar problem faced by more than 20
ex-journalists (from
all over the country-expected to hit another 80+)
associated with ETV
NEWS channel, owned and managed by Shri Ramoji Rao, a
resident of Ramoji
Film City, Hyderbad-12 (Andhra Pradesh) India.
Sir, I would like to summarize the problem in some
words.
1. We are all Masters in Mass Communication and
Journalism and
applied for ETV News, as per their advertisement in
media.
2. After a written test and oral interview, they
selected us for the
post of trainee copy editor/reporter and offered Rs
5,000 as the
salary.
3. But, at the time of joining they forced (!) us
to sign a articles
of agreement saying that we must serve the company for
minimum of three
years.(see: attachment)
4. The articles of agreement even read that even if
ETV people
terminate us from the job, we must pay the said
amount. But unfortunately
they not even said a single word on how much they pay
us or what’s the
service conditions, pay scale etc
5. Actually we are all well trained in our
University including
two months of internship at newspaper offices. But as
we thought that ETV
is professionally managed company and they might treat
us as per the
rules in regard to the journalist acts.
6. But one fine day, they created us such a
situation that, we
simply flown out of Hyderbad. After wards the problem
started.
After that NEWS TODAY PVT LTD sent many notices and
finally terminated
us from job and now even secured a order from Andhra
Pradesh High court
over formation of an arbitration bench. Sir,
arbitration bench hearing
is on November 10 at Hyderbad.
Sir, what about law and Justice?
Sir, I do agree that we violated the agreement. But I
think, it’s not
at the cost of Rs 75,000. Sir, when we joined ETV
NEWS-Kannada as the
trainees they assured of international level training.
But for our bad
luck, they are not even taken a single day class in my
case. They taught
nothing special including what’s media, freedom,
ethics, guidelines
etc. Even after completing the one-year of trainee
period, they not even
given any special degree or additional qualification
other than change
in the designation.
As in our class rooms, we taught that Manisana Wage
Board is accepted
and implemented we taught that NEWS TODAY PVT LTD also
implement the
same. But, only after joining we came to know that
it’s not implemented in
the organization. At last we taught that after
completion of the
trainee period we might given the wage as per the govt
orders. But it’s also
not done. They are not ready to follow the law of this
land. But
expected us to follow the bond. Sir, this is just a
example for how we
cheated by NEWS TODAY LTD.
Sir, first I would like to draw your attention towards
how the NEWS
TODAY PVT LTD violated the laws related to working
journalists. Sir, as
per the WORKING JOURNALISTS AND OTHER NEWSPAPER
EMPLOYEES (CONDITION OF
SERVICE) AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ACT, 1955, Hours
of work in any
media house should not exceed for more than one
hundred and forty-four
hours during any period of four consecutive weeks,
exclusive of the
time for meals. But, NEWS TODAY PVT LTD fixed 8 hours
work per day leading
to 192 hours. NEWS TODAY PVT LTD, which speaks of
75,000 compensation,
is silent in this regard.
Sir more than anything I want to draw your attention
towards the
another torture given by the NEWS TODAY PVT LTD. Sir,
once in 15 days they
made us to work between 12 at midnight to 4 pm of next
day without a
single minutes rest. Sir, how could any journalist
could work for such a
long hour and handle the news items which is has
greatest impact.
Sir, I would like to bring your kind notice towards
the some of the
provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition)
Act, 1976, which
defined the bonded system as ‘forfeit the freedom of
employment or other
means of livelihood for an specified period or for an
unspecified period
Or forfeit the right to appropriate or sell at
market-value any of his
property or product of his labour. Sir, but none of
our government
agencies tried to topple such an effort taken out by
NEWS TODAY PVT LTD.
Sir, as like as any other journalist of this country I
am also working
for a state newspaper from Karnataka. Sir, you know
the salary and
perks provided by news organizations! Sir, now as most
of our journalists
are scattered all over the India and not in a position
to pay for a
advocate, how could we defend our self in the
arbitration bench or in front
of highcorut?
Sir, please interfere and protect the poor
journalists….
Yours truly
sri B
YSR
He is a healthy man.
He is religious man.
He is ambitious.
He is born as millionaire.
He walked 1400 kms in summer to become CM.
He has donated millions worth lands to government
He has donated 1300 acres of land to government acquired unethically (not illegally)
He openly confronts opposition within Congress party.
He appreciates inter-caste and inter-religious marriages in his family (his daughter is married to different caste)
He has face value and a leader.
He has embraced opponents who have expressed regrets for their past.
CBN
He is suffering from lots of health related diseases.
He is an atheist.
He is opportunistic.
He owned 2 acres of land before becoming CM.
He back-stabbed NTR (who subsequently died) to become CM.
He has accumulated 2000 crores worth of assets after becoming CM
He has acquired 950 acres of land unethically (not illegally)
He blackmails TDP colleagues.
He appreciates casteism.
He has no face value and a manipulator.
He has manipulated,used and dumped BJP, NTR, Lakshmi Parvathi, Jaya Prada, Renuka, Ramamurthy Naidu (his brother),
Hari Krishna, Daggupati etc.
This is completly true.
As far as CBN is concerned none of the comments are ture. I would think about about all the good things he has done to Hyderabad before commenting him. He must have eaten money like every one else does in India but he also kept the left overs that became pride of Hyderabad today.
Coming to YSR I don't see any developments to the city during his rule other than the new constructions collapsing overnight.
arey lanjakodakallara...neeku mee langakattu lanjakoduku ysr gadiki endukuu raa eenadu gurinchi....janaala meed apadi dengi tinnati chaaldaa..tagubothu lanjakodakalalraa..
This article is 100% true. Thank you for taking time and making this article.
YSR'S ONE EYE IS REMOVED BECAUSE OF HIS CRUELTY ON ANDHRA PRADESH PEOPLE POOR ONES WHO VOTED HIM.
YSR FAMILY GOT CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANS FOR FOOD AND MONEY AND HE CHEATS BOTH HINDUISM AND CHIRISTIANISM BY THE NAME OF GOD
HE IS AMBITIOUS TO SCAM AND MAKE MONEY AS A BROKER FROM CONTRACTORS AND REALTORS
HE BORN IN A LOW CLASS FAMILY WHO DOES NOT HAVE A SHELTER
HE WALKED BECAUSE TO CHEAT AND WIN ELECTION BY FALSE PROMISES
HAAA.HHAAA...FIRST OF ALL HE DOES NOT HAVE ANY LAND. HIS GRANDFATHER WAS A BEGGER AT CHURCH AND HIS FATHER WAS A GUNDA WHO THREATENED PEOPLE AND GRABBED THE LANDS
HE DONATED THE GRABBED LAND WHEN HIS DHOTI OPENED BY EENADU. AND TO AVOID CRIMINAL CHARGES HIS HANDED OVER TO GOVT
HIS CONFRONTS ARE STUPID AND ESCAPES FROM OPPOSITION 'S GENIUNE QUESTIONS OF HIS SCAMS.
HE ENCOURAGES THE MARRIAGES WITH OTHER CASTES WHO WOULD LICK THIER ASSES
HE HAS FACE VALUE AS SCAMSTER AND THIEF AND ROUGUE FOR HIS FANS
ALL TOGETHER PEOPLE SAY IN PULIVENDULA THAT HE IS A BASTARD
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