Ramoji Rao left an indelible mark on various fields, says A.P. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu

Ramoji Rao left an indelible mark on various fields, says A.P. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Recalling that the name of Amaravati for the new capital city was suggested by Ramoji Rao, the Chief Minister says the government will set up a Vignan Kendra and a road after him in the capital city, and ‘Ramoji Chitra Nagari’ in Visakhapatnam.

The TDP-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has announced its decision to establish ‘Ramoji Vignan Kendra’ in the capital city of Amaravati on the lines of Vignan Bhavan in New Delhi.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the government in commemoration of media baron Ch. Ramoji Rao here on June 27 (Thursday), Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recalled his achievements and contributions, and said that “they have left an indelible mark on various fields, including journalism, cinema and social sector.”

“It is our responsibility to pay fitting tributes to this great person, who led from the front whenever democracy was in peril,” Mr. Naidu said.

Mr. Naidu also proposed to name a road after Ramoji Rao in Amaravati. “It will be called Ramoji Rao Road, or Ramoji Rao Margam. In addition, we will also develop a ‘Ramoji Chitra Nagari’, a film city in Visakhapatnam, where he had launched the first edition of Eenadu newspaper in 1974,” he said.

Mr. Naidu said the name of the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, had in fact been suggested to him by Ramoji Rao.

“After a thorough research, he explained to me the relevance and significance of the name Amaravati,” the Chief Minister recalled, adding, “Even the Cyberabad project I developed in Hyderabad city reflects the thoughts he shared with me.”

Mr. Naidu said the people of the State had been demanding that Bharat Ratna be bestowed on TDP founder-president and former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao. “We also urge the Centre to confer Bharat Ratna on Ramoji Rao posthumously,” he said.