(S.Ravi Seshu)
Launched in 1974, Eenadu produced thousands of journalists, including gems and dumbs. A good crop of journalists (editor material) had to leave the organisation following a strike and lock-out in June 1977 and many others, like Mrs.Ramadevi, Mrs.Vilasini, Mr.Prabhakar, Mr.Ramakrishna et al, were ‘sent home’ by the management notwithstanding the fact that they had served the organisation from the beginning days.
Many Eenadu products deserted it when Sakshi newspaper was launched in 2009 for better wages and working conditions. Another section of journalists, who sensed no future in Eenadu due to regional and caste reasons, switched to other professions. And, thankfully they are all doing well now.
In this backdrop, finding seniors with 20-25 years of experience in Eenadu is not so easy. Here is a man, who served Eenadu for more than three decades, to become a news story. He is none other than Mr.Chennupati Rama Rao, who retired amidst colleagues’ grand farewell in Ramoji Film City last week. A native of Vijayawada, Mr.Rao worked with Eenadu for 32 long years, better part of it in the General Desk, which is considered as the heart of the newspaper.
The Senior Associate Editor Mr.N.Rahul Kumar presented a memento to Mr.Rao, who delivered an emotional speech recollecting some milestones in his journalistic career. “Rao was initially in Eenadu’s Vijayawada edition and he was brought to the Hyderabad’s General Desk, which demands some English knowledge and translation skill, in 1997-98. Though we can’t rate him as a fine journalist in terms of talent and quality, he rose to good levels in Eenadu to the surprise of many contemporaries,” a former colleague of Mr.Rao said. Mr.Rao’s managerial skills as an administrator or shift in-charge can’t be written off.
A couple of young mischievous sub-editors in the General Desk used to ask the meaning of some tough English words aloud to snub Mr.Rao, who was struggling hard to deal with the language. “Rao used to be rattled when we asked the meaning of tough words aloud. He used to request us to come close to him to know the meanings. When I was there, Rao used to be a very serious journalist. He was not at all friendly. Eenadu management gave him a very long rope,” another journalist said.
According to reliable sources, Mr.Rao tried for an extension in Eenadu but the management offered only 50 percent of what he is getting as salary now. Not game for the offer, Mr.Rao preferred superannuation to lead a peaceful life with his family in Vijayawada. He may also get some offers from Vijayawada-based AP newspapers that are struggling hard due to lack of senior hands.
One of the facebook pals, who worked with Mr.Rao, writes: “CH Rama Rao, Only one man having 32 years of service in Eenadu general desk retired last week. We respected him with big farewell at eenadu office RFC. Wish you all the best sir.”
We wish Mr.Rao all the very best in his future endeavours. Mr.Rao is seen in the extreme left while Mr.Rahul is in the extreme right.
