Odisha Media Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Ramoji Rao, Recalls His Contribution In Launching State’s First TV Channel

Bhubaneswar: The media fraternity of Odisha paid heartfelt tributes to Indian media baron late Ramoji Rao. Editors, senior media professionals from print, television & digital, along with producers; and actors from the Odisha entertainment industry joined the memorial evening at Jayadev Bhawan, here on Tuesday.

Odisha Media Parivar, a confluence of the media & entertainment fraternity of Odisha including former ETV Odia associates, cherished the life & contribution of Ramoji Rao, the tallest personality of Indian media who passed away on June 8, 2024. The audience paid deep respects to the departed soul with a two-minute silence.

“Ramoji Rao was a trendsetter of Indian media. He had demonstrated a vision with compassion while building media organisations, promoting people’s journalism. The Indian media fraternity will remember his contributions to the field of journalism & entertainment,” said Nilambar Rath, convenor of the event.

A commemorative video highlighting the life & work of Ramoji Rao was screened at the event. His contribution to the Odisha media industry in terms of news & entertainment on television was remembered by his former associates & the senior media personalities present at the event. A booklet in memory of the media baron was released on the occasion.

Young artists Sushant Singhsamanta and Managobinda Puhan painted the portrait of Ramoji Rao live. The paintings were presented to the audience at the end of the program.

Among those who attended were Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Mayor, Sulochana Das, Bhograi MLA Goutam Buddha Das, former Odisha
Information Commissioner Dilip Kumar Bisoi, Food Commission member Dayanidhi Dash, actor Kuna Tripathy, Nitu Singh & Author Asit Mohanty.

Various media personalities from Odisha including Bhakta Tripathy, Mayadhar Pradhan, Sisira Bhattamisra, Sandeep Mishra, Sandeep Sahoo, Ardhendu Das,
Radhamadhav Mishra, Durgashish, Apurba Mohanty, Kapilash Bhuyan, Lingaraj Mishra, Sarat Paikray, Ashok Sahu, Manoranjan Mishra, Pranati Parida, Saumya Parida, Biswanath Praharaj Rajguru among others, participated in paying deep respects to Ramoji Rao.
They recalled their association with ETV Ramoji Rao

Former ETV associates narrated various anecdotes showcasing the greatness of Ramoji as a media personality & an institution maker.

A bhajan program was also organised during the memorial program. Senior journalists Sangram Sarangi and Itishree Nayak anchored the program.

In 2002, Ramoji Rao made a significant mark on Odisha’s media sector by launching ETV Odia, the state’s first private satellite channel. ETV Odia not only provided Odia viewers with the latest national and international news updates but also offered a diverse range of entertainment programs.

ETV Odia played a vital role in shaping Odisha’s media ecosystem and forged a strong connection with the general audiences across the state. The channel revolutionised the production and broadcasting culture in television skilling & empowering hundreds of media professionals in the region.