Here's The Incredible Journey Of Padma Vibhushan Ramoji Rao Garu

(Contributed by Ratnakar Sadasyula) As a Telugu person, Ramoji Rao's influence has been there in every field of my life, as well as growing up years. Which Telugu person has not read Eenadu, seen ETV, or tasted the Priya Pickles? Much before movie sites came, Sitara was my window to the Telugu movie world, would wait eagerly for it's reviews. And Eenadu still remains the best among Telugu newspapers, be it in content or readership. Born in a small village Pedaparupudi in Krishna dt, Ramoji Rao has attained heights, and left us a rich legacy. The Padma Vibushan to him is long due and richly deserved. Here are some facts 1) Ramoji Film City has been certified by Guinness Book as the world's largest film studio complex. Walk in with a script, walk out with a movie, that has been it's theme. Right from settings to processing labs to equipment, it offers everything for aspiring movie makers. Not to mention the fact that it is one of Hyderabad's top tourist destinations too.

2) Started in 1974, Eenadu has been through one of India's most turbulent's phases, a period of change. It saw the Emergency, the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, the transition to liberalization and of course NTR becoming the CM. It was also the first to introduce district editions, that would carry news relevant to that district. Mixing local news with national and international, it has been the voice of Telugu people. /

3) ETV Network started in 1995, is one of the largest in India. ETV News still remains one of the better news channels. And when it comes to programming, ETV has come up with excellent ones like Paadutha Teeyaga, Abhiruchi. It's Pratidhwani is one of the best discussions on TV news channels. Apart from AP, TG, EtV network is now all over India in Urdu, Bengali, Kannada, Odia, Gujarati, Bhojpuri. And ETV has now a strong presence in the Hindi belt too, with it's regional channels in Bihar, Jharkhnd, MP, Rajasthan,Uttarakhad, UP, Himachal and Haryana.

4) Ushakiran Movies has made a name for itself as producer of quality, content driven cinema. Be it comedies like Srivariki Premalekha, or movies on social issues like Pratighatana or Mouna Pouratam or biopics like Ashwini, Mayuri or youthful entertainers like Nuvve Kavali, Anandam, it has consistently been producing some great cinema. Not to mention that it has introduced many people to Telugu movie industry like Uday Kiran, Keeravani( music director), Tarun( both as child actor as well as hero), Vinod Kumar, Yamuna.

5) Margadarshi Chit Funds was Ramoji Rao's first venture he started in 1962, and with 360,000 members it has financially benefited many middle class Telugu families.

6) Priya Foods - Any Telugu person would have had a taste of the delicious Avakaya from Priya. Not to mention it's mouth watering range of pickles, savories. Not just in India, it has a global presence too, available in US, Canada, UK too.

7) He came up with specialized magazines for farmers (Annadata), children (Bala Bharati), movie(Sitara). He also published Chatura, Vipula which have been an outlet for many aspiring writers and poets. And a person who has promoted the Telugu language through Eenadu and his magazines.

Like most successful businessmen he has had his share of controversies, notably the Margadarsi Chit funds one, but his contribution and legacy can never be denied.