Desaraju Surya
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh is heading for bankruptcy.
The state that boasts of a Rs 1.05 lakh crore Budget for the 2009-10 financial year, now hardly has cash reserves that are sufficient to meet the salary bill for the next two months besides the election expenditure.
The state government has approached the Reserve Bank of India for sale of securities to raise Rs 1915 crore to keep things moving. In the last four months the state has raised Rs 7,000 crore through sale of securities but all the money was ostensibly utilized on individual benefit schemes with the April elections in view.
As a result, all projects ambitiously launched by the Congress government have come to a standstill.
Contrary to what Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy boasted, the global economic meltdown dealt a telling blow to the state economy as well resulting in a severe shortfall in revenues.
“Yes, it is a distress. Our revenues have certainly fallen but we are somehow managing the affairs,” a key official in the finance department said.
Bureaucrats running the finance department are, however, not willing to speak any figures. “This is election time and please don’t ask us for figures. It will send wrong signals and we will be in trouble,” the key official pleaded.
The finance department head, principal secretary I Y R Krishna Rao, was willing to say this much: “The situation is not bad as we have not gone for any overdraft facility. We can manage.”
A couple of examples clearly indicate how bad the state’s finances are. The government owes Rs 3400 crore to contractors executing various projects under the ambitious Rs two lakh crore irrigation development programme – Jalayagnam. This has virtually brought the project works to a halt as the contractors are unwilling to execute works without cash flowing.
The state government owes about Rs 12,000 crore to the power utilities, particularly the distribution companies (Discoms). Last month, the government released Rs 1050 crore out of the total outstanding, which is hardly sufficient to overcome the acute resource crunch being faced by the Discoms. Given the worst ever power crisis being faced by the state, Discoms are forced to buy power at an exorbitant price – Rs 12 to Rs 14 per unit. “Even if we are paying that much, there is no power available. Even if power is available, we have no money. The government is simply asking us to borrow from banks but we already owe crores of rupees to them. We are literally at our wit’s end,” head of a Discom lamented.
Though the state government was spending significant amounts on populist schemes like housing, free power, health insurance, Rs 2-a-kg rice and several others, it somehow managed to run the show in 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years as it sold away hundreds of acres of government lands and raised about Rs 20,000 crore. With the real-estate bubble bursting in 2008, the Rajasekhara Reddy government could not sell land and this choked the revenues. At the same time, political expediency forced the Congress rulers to come up with one populist scheme after the other – ranging from enhancement of scholarships to students, fee reimbursement, waiver of loans to different sections, payment of incentives to farmers (who could not avail of the loan waiver) and the like.
The incentive (to farmers) bill alone touched Rs 1750 crore this year, as against Rs 800 crore initially estimated. At the same time, revenues through commercial taxes took a dip because of the economic slowdown while revenue from excise alone has been keeping the cash registers ringing, highly-placed official sources explained.
Now, the state government is knocking on the doors of banks, including the World Bank, to seek loans. Nothing explains the current scenario better than the government’s eagerness to secure a Rs 1300 crore loan from the World Bank for urban projects. “For more than two years we behaved as if we did not want any financial assistance from the World Bank and kept the project in cold storage. With our finances drying up, we have again gone to them with a (begging) bowl,” a high-ranking official noted.
Even individual departments, that are seeking release of funds from the state finance department, are reportedly being directed to raise loans from banks to carry on their projects.
As things stand – and with much more ‘populism’ in the offing after the polls – Andhra Pradesh seems to have no way out of the financial morass.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Andhra Pradesh heading for a hot poll
Desaraju Surya
Hyderabad: Elections-2009 will be by far the hottest in the history of Andhra Pradesh. For the first time, the state will witness a triangular contest between the ruling Congress, the “Grand Alliance” (of Telugu Desam Party-Telangana Rashtra Samiti-Communist Party of India (Marxist)-Communist Party of India) and the Praja Rajyam Party floated by Telugu Mega Star Chiranjeevi.
On paper, however, it will be a “multi-cornered” contest with other players like Bharatiya Janata Party and Lok Satta Party of bureaucrat-turned-politician N Jayaprakash Narayan in the fray.
But the impact of these two outfits will be not significant by any count and as such the fight will essentially be between Congress, Grand Alliance and Praja Rajyam Party.
The Congress is ready to fight the elections on the “development-welfare” plank while the Grand Alliance have a range of issues – ranging from corruption to Telangana – to attack the ruling party with. Chiranjeevi wants to do an “Obama” in Andhra Pradesh and is harping on the “change” mantra.
Andhra Pradesh could well decide who would form the next government in New Delhi. For the Congress, the stakes are too heavy. An impressive performance – an encore of 2004 – by the Congress here will put it in the driver’s seat even in New Delhi. By sending as many as 33 members to the Lok Sabha in 2004, Andhra Pradesh electorate enabled the Congress party to form a government at the Centre in the company of other political outfits.
But the Grand Alliance, which is aiming at forming the so-called “Third Alternative” government at the Centre, is bent on spoiling the chances of the ruling party by exposing the Congress primarily on the corruption issue apart from a host of other “failures.”
Equally bent is the PRP to mar the prospects of not only the Congress but also the Grand Alliance. On the face of it, the PRP may well give a tough fight to both the Congress and the Grand Alliance by splitting their votes in most pockets in the state but its aspirations may actually come a cropper if it fails to secure a common symbol for all its candidates. As things stand, the infant party – that solely banks on the charisma of Mega Star Chiranjeevi – is unlikely to get a common symbol and will have to make do with multiple symbols for its candidates. The most significant aspect of Elections-2009 will be the total isolation of the ruling Congress in the state. In 2004, the Left parties had aligned with the Congress while Telangana Rashtra Samiti was also part of the alliance that ousted N Chandrababu Naidu from power. TDP had only the Bharatiya Janata Party for company in 2004 but the combination could not outwit the Congress-Left-TRS combine.
The 2004 poll outcome makes for an interesting study. The Congress, which polled 38.56 per cent of the total valid votes, bagged 185 seats in the 294-member state Assembly while the TDP with a 37.59 per cent vote share could manage only 47 seats. The CPI got 1.53 per cent votes (six seats), CPM 1.84 per cent (nine seats) and the TRS 6.68 per cent (26 seats) while the BJP secured 2.63 per cent and just two seats. The Congress won 33 seats, TDP four, TRS two (down from five after the split and subsequent bye-elections) while CPI, CPM and MIM bagged one Lok Sabha seat each.
Elections-2009 will, however, be entirely different. The CPM, CPI and TRS have now crossed over to the TDP with the sole objective of dislodging the “corrupt” Congress. The BJP has none for company this time and is striving to rediscover itself in the state.
Here comes the PRP into play which could mar the Grand Alliance’s prospects as well as those of the ruling Congress. How much will the vote split be is hard to predict but at least in the coastal Andhra region and to some extent in Rayalaseema, Chiranjeevi's party could cast its spell. The PRP's impact is expected to be the maximum in East Godavari and West Godavari districts, which hitherto used to be the TDP's citadels. In north coastal Andhra too -- comprising Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts -- Chiranjeevi's party is likely to eat into the traditional TDP votes much to the comfort of the Congress. In the final analysis, this could prove to be the most decisive factor in determining who comes to power. Of course, the outcome in Telangana will also be crucial as the region has as many as 117 seats.
The Congress, however, is putting up a brave front saying no combination or force could prevent it from retaining power. "It will be a positive vote for the government, which is quite unprecedented. The slew of welfare measures, apart from the major development works including the construction of irrigation projects, will stand us in good stead," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy boasts.
May 16 will be the Judgment Day for all of them.
Hyderabad: Elections-2009 will be by far the hottest in the history of Andhra Pradesh. For the first time, the state will witness a triangular contest between the ruling Congress, the “Grand Alliance” (of Telugu Desam Party-Telangana Rashtra Samiti-Communist Party of India (Marxist)-Communist Party of India) and the Praja Rajyam Party floated by Telugu Mega Star Chiranjeevi.
On paper, however, it will be a “multi-cornered” contest with other players like Bharatiya Janata Party and Lok Satta Party of bureaucrat-turned-politician N Jayaprakash Narayan in the fray.
But the impact of these two outfits will be not significant by any count and as such the fight will essentially be between Congress, Grand Alliance and Praja Rajyam Party.
The Congress is ready to fight the elections on the “development-welfare” plank while the Grand Alliance have a range of issues – ranging from corruption to Telangana – to attack the ruling party with. Chiranjeevi wants to do an “Obama” in Andhra Pradesh and is harping on the “change” mantra.
Andhra Pradesh could well decide who would form the next government in New Delhi. For the Congress, the stakes are too heavy. An impressive performance – an encore of 2004 – by the Congress here will put it in the driver’s seat even in New Delhi. By sending as many as 33 members to the Lok Sabha in 2004, Andhra Pradesh electorate enabled the Congress party to form a government at the Centre in the company of other political outfits.
But the Grand Alliance, which is aiming at forming the so-called “Third Alternative” government at the Centre, is bent on spoiling the chances of the ruling party by exposing the Congress primarily on the corruption issue apart from a host of other “failures.”
Equally bent is the PRP to mar the prospects of not only the Congress but also the Grand Alliance. On the face of it, the PRP may well give a tough fight to both the Congress and the Grand Alliance by splitting their votes in most pockets in the state but its aspirations may actually come a cropper if it fails to secure a common symbol for all its candidates. As things stand, the infant party – that solely banks on the charisma of Mega Star Chiranjeevi – is unlikely to get a common symbol and will have to make do with multiple symbols for its candidates. The most significant aspect of Elections-2009 will be the total isolation of the ruling Congress in the state. In 2004, the Left parties had aligned with the Congress while Telangana Rashtra Samiti was also part of the alliance that ousted N Chandrababu Naidu from power. TDP had only the Bharatiya Janata Party for company in 2004 but the combination could not outwit the Congress-Left-TRS combine.
The 2004 poll outcome makes for an interesting study. The Congress, which polled 38.56 per cent of the total valid votes, bagged 185 seats in the 294-member state Assembly while the TDP with a 37.59 per cent vote share could manage only 47 seats. The CPI got 1.53 per cent votes (six seats), CPM 1.84 per cent (nine seats) and the TRS 6.68 per cent (26 seats) while the BJP secured 2.63 per cent and just two seats. The Congress won 33 seats, TDP four, TRS two (down from five after the split and subsequent bye-elections) while CPI, CPM and MIM bagged one Lok Sabha seat each.
Elections-2009 will, however, be entirely different. The CPM, CPI and TRS have now crossed over to the TDP with the sole objective of dislodging the “corrupt” Congress. The BJP has none for company this time and is striving to rediscover itself in the state.
Here comes the PRP into play which could mar the Grand Alliance’s prospects as well as those of the ruling Congress. How much will the vote split be is hard to predict but at least in the coastal Andhra region and to some extent in Rayalaseema, Chiranjeevi's party could cast its spell. The PRP's impact is expected to be the maximum in East Godavari and West Godavari districts, which hitherto used to be the TDP's citadels. In north coastal Andhra too -- comprising Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts -- Chiranjeevi's party is likely to eat into the traditional TDP votes much to the comfort of the Congress. In the final analysis, this could prove to be the most decisive factor in determining who comes to power. Of course, the outcome in Telangana will also be crucial as the region has as many as 117 seats.
The Congress, however, is putting up a brave front saying no combination or force could prevent it from retaining power. "It will be a positive vote for the government, which is quite unprecedented. The slew of welfare measures, apart from the major development works including the construction of irrigation projects, will stand us in good stead," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy boasts.
May 16 will be the Judgment Day for all of them.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Want land? Rush to AP
Desaraju Surya
Hyderabad: Want land to set up an industry, an educational institute, a company or anything else? Well, come to Andhra Pradesh and the state government is ready to distribute any extent of land for whatever purpose. But the time is too short – hardly a couple of more days since notification for the general elections is expected any moment – and some “formalities” are to be fulfilled before the land is allotted.
The state government has in the past few days cleared numerous proposals for allotment of land to various sections and officials of the revenue department are too busy burning the midnight oil to issue requisite government orders to complete the formalities.
Journalists, government officers, judicial employees, government employees, industrialists and some private persons were given thousands of acres of land across the state.
Overlooking the protests by local people, the controversial Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Port and Industrial Corridor Limited was given 6796.44 acres of land in Prakasam district and 224.38 acres more in Guntur district. All this is land previously assigned to local people for agriculture but now the government has “resumed” it to re-allot to VANPIC, promoted by UAE-based Ras-al-Khaimah. Ras-al-Khaimah also got another 105 acres in Medak district for the Hyderabad Economic City project.
In Chilamathur in Anantapur district, the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation has been given 1680.99 acre for establishment of Lepakshi Knowledge City. Another 1064.86 acres has also been given in Tummala village to APIIC and another 349.24 acres in Chilamathur for development of an industrial park. All this land is said to be for the Lepakshi Knowledge City that is just about 70-km from the new Bengaluru International Airport abutting the National Highway-7.
In Anantapur district again, the APIIC got 429.11 acres in Gudipadu village for an industrial park.
In Chittoor district, 977.74 acres of land spread across three villages has been allotted to the APIIC for establishment of a Digital World City.
Several other proposals for allotment of land to journalists and government employees have also been cleared by the government and now about 200 acres of land is ready for distribution.
Hyderabad: Want land to set up an industry, an educational institute, a company or anything else? Well, come to Andhra Pradesh and the state government is ready to distribute any extent of land for whatever purpose. But the time is too short – hardly a couple of more days since notification for the general elections is expected any moment – and some “formalities” are to be fulfilled before the land is allotted.
The state government has in the past few days cleared numerous proposals for allotment of land to various sections and officials of the revenue department are too busy burning the midnight oil to issue requisite government orders to complete the formalities.
Journalists, government officers, judicial employees, government employees, industrialists and some private persons were given thousands of acres of land across the state.
Overlooking the protests by local people, the controversial Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Port and Industrial Corridor Limited was given 6796.44 acres of land in Prakasam district and 224.38 acres more in Guntur district. All this is land previously assigned to local people for agriculture but now the government has “resumed” it to re-allot to VANPIC, promoted by UAE-based Ras-al-Khaimah. Ras-al-Khaimah also got another 105 acres in Medak district for the Hyderabad Economic City project.
In Chilamathur in Anantapur district, the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation has been given 1680.99 acre for establishment of Lepakshi Knowledge City. Another 1064.86 acres has also been given in Tummala village to APIIC and another 349.24 acres in Chilamathur for development of an industrial park. All this land is said to be for the Lepakshi Knowledge City that is just about 70-km from the new Bengaluru International Airport abutting the National Highway-7.
In Anantapur district again, the APIIC got 429.11 acres in Gudipadu village for an industrial park.
In Chittoor district, 977.74 acres of land spread across three villages has been allotted to the APIIC for establishment of a Digital World City.
Several other proposals for allotment of land to journalists and government employees have also been cleared by the government and now about 200 acres of land is ready for distribution.
"SAVING IS SIN, SPENDING IS VIRTUE!"
(This is a reproduction of an email circulated by a dear friend).
JAPANESE do not spend much. They save a lot. Also, Japan exports far more than it imports. Has an annual trade surplus of over $100 billion. Yet, Japanese economy is considered weak, even collapsing.
Americans spend, save little. Also, US import more than it exports. Has an annual trade deficit of over $400 billion. Yet, the American economy is considered strong and trusted to get stronger.
But where from do Americans get money to spend? They borrow from Japan, China and even India... Virtually others save for the US to spend. Global savings are mostly invested in US, in dollars. India itself keeps its foreign currency assets of over $50 billion in US securities. China has sunk over $160 billion in US securities. Japan's stakes in US securities are in trillions. Result: The US has taken over $5 trillion from the world. So, as the world saves for the US, Americans spend freely. Today, to keep the US consumption going -- that is for the US economy to work -- other countries have to remit $180 billion every quarter, which is $2 billion a day, to the US! Otherwise the US economy would go for a six. So will the global economy. The result will be no different if US consumers begin consuming less. A Chinese economist asked a neat question. Who has invested more, US in China, or China in US? The US has invested in China less than half of what China has invested in US. Same is the case with India... We have invested in US over $50 billion. But the US has invested less than $20 billion in India... Why is the world after US? The secret lies in the American spending, that they hardly save. In fact, they use their credit cards to spend their future income. That the US spends is what makes it attractive to export to the US. So US imports more than what it exports year after year. The result: The world is dependent on US consumption for its growth. By its deepening culture of consumption, the US has habituated the world to feed on US consumption. But as the US needs money to finance its consumption, the world provides the money. It's like a shopkeeper providing the money to a customer so that the customer keeps buying from the shop. If the customer does not buy, the shop won't have business, unless the shopkeeper funds him. The US is like the lucky customer. And the world is like the helpless shopkeeper-financier. Who is America's biggest shopkeeper-financier? Japan of course. Yet it's Japan which is regarded as weak.
Modern economists complain that Japanese do not spend, so they do not grow. To force the Japanese to spend, the Japan government exerted itself, reduced the savings rates, even charged the savers. Even then the Japanese did not spend (habits don't change, even with taxes, do they?). Their traditional postal savings alone is over $1.2 trillions, about three times the Indian GDP. Thus, savings, far from being the strength of Japan, have become its pain. Hence, what is the lesson? That is, a nation cannot grow unless the people spend, not save. Not just spend, but borrow and spend.
Dr Jagdish Bhagwati, the famous Indian-born economist in the US, told Manmohan Singh that Indians wastefully save. Ask them to spend, on imported cars and, seriously, even on cosmetics! This will put India on a growth curve. "Saving is sin, and spending is virtue."
Before you follow this neo-economics, get some fools to save so that you can borrow from them and spend. This is what US has successfully done in last few decades. -- Professor Jagdish N Bhagwati.
JAPANESE do not spend much. They save a lot. Also, Japan exports far more than it imports. Has an annual trade surplus of over $100 billion. Yet, Japanese economy is considered weak, even collapsing.
Americans spend, save little. Also, US import more than it exports. Has an annual trade deficit of over $400 billion. Yet, the American economy is considered strong and trusted to get stronger.
But where from do Americans get money to spend? They borrow from Japan, China and even India... Virtually others save for the US to spend. Global savings are mostly invested in US, in dollars. India itself keeps its foreign currency assets of over $50 billion in US securities. China has sunk over $160 billion in US securities. Japan's stakes in US securities are in trillions. Result: The US has taken over $5 trillion from the world. So, as the world saves for the US, Americans spend freely. Today, to keep the US consumption going -- that is for the US economy to work -- other countries have to remit $180 billion every quarter, which is $2 billion a day, to the US! Otherwise the US economy would go for a six. So will the global economy. The result will be no different if US consumers begin consuming less. A Chinese economist asked a neat question. Who has invested more, US in China, or China in US? The US has invested in China less than half of what China has invested in US. Same is the case with India... We have invested in US over $50 billion. But the US has invested less than $20 billion in India... Why is the world after US? The secret lies in the American spending, that they hardly save. In fact, they use their credit cards to spend their future income. That the US spends is what makes it attractive to export to the US. So US imports more than what it exports year after year. The result: The world is dependent on US consumption for its growth. By its deepening culture of consumption, the US has habituated the world to feed on US consumption. But as the US needs money to finance its consumption, the world provides the money. It's like a shopkeeper providing the money to a customer so that the customer keeps buying from the shop. If the customer does not buy, the shop won't have business, unless the shopkeeper funds him. The US is like the lucky customer. And the world is like the helpless shopkeeper-financier. Who is America's biggest shopkeeper-financier? Japan of course. Yet it's Japan which is regarded as weak.
Modern economists complain that Japanese do not spend, so they do not grow. To force the Japanese to spend, the Japan government exerted itself, reduced the savings rates, even charged the savers. Even then the Japanese did not spend (habits don't change, even with taxes, do they?). Their traditional postal savings alone is over $1.2 trillions, about three times the Indian GDP. Thus, savings, far from being the strength of Japan, have become its pain. Hence, what is the lesson? That is, a nation cannot grow unless the people spend, not save. Not just spend, but borrow and spend.
Dr Jagdish Bhagwati, the famous Indian-born economist in the US, told Manmohan Singh that Indians wastefully save. Ask them to spend, on imported cars and, seriously, even on cosmetics! This will put India on a growth curve. "Saving is sin, and spending is virtue."
Before you follow this neo-economics, get some fools to save so that you can borrow from them and spend. This is what US has successfully done in last few decades. -- Professor Jagdish N Bhagwati.
Friday, 27 February 2009
MY JOURNEY AS A JOURNALIST
Desaraju Surya
I turned 20, as a journalist, today. For me, it has been quite an eventful journey and a fantastic learning process.
On this occasion, I would first like to express my sincere gratitude to a few persons who actually shaped me as a journalist and helped me grow. Messrs Ananthaneni Ravi Kumar, P Hari Prasad, Boddu Bhaskar, Suresh and Peddada Navin were those who guided me through the initial days of my career – which I began as a news contributor for Eenadu Telugu daily way back on February 26, 1990. And then, there were the likes of V Gopalakrishna Murthy (Gampalagudem Murthy) and Chilukuri Venu who too used to enable me learn the fine art of writing.
I was literally a college drop-out with absolutely no interest in academics. All I possessed at that time was just common sense, some general knowledge and a youthful zeal. A few years into the profession, I acquired a graduate degree and subsequently pursued a PG diploma course in journalism and mass communications, a PG diploma in international business and PG in public administration.
I had always been an avid listener of news on radio since my childhood days and also a good reader of newspapers (Eenadu, Andhra Prabha and Indian Express) which helped me understand news and style of writing.
The way the likes of Kandukuri Suryanarayana, Addanki Mannar, Koppula Subba Rao, Prayaga Ramakrishna read out the news on All India Radio, left an impression in my mind and that kept me going from the day one of my career. I literally followed the script, so to say. I also used to listen the English, Hindi and Sanskrit news bullet-ins on radio and subsequently on Doordarshan. I have no hesitation in saying that those bullet-ins were the “real” news presented in a lucid style without any distortions and gave the information required for people. They were, in fact, an education in news writing as well.
I was very childish at the time I began my career as a journalist. But the seniors in Eenadu were very appreciative and always helped me out by teaching the basics of news reporting and offering me valuable suggestions to improve myself.
There was one “Satyam master” who used to edit reports for Newstime, an English daily then run by the Eenadu group, in his post-retirement as a lecturer.
Noticing the interest in me, he encouraged me to write a few reports in English for Newstime. The legendary cricketer Kapil Dev visited Vijayawada on a promotional trip once in April 1991 and I took the opportunity to report that in English. It was published as a two-column box story in Newstime and I was elated. There were many who patted me on the back for that and it only spurred me to learn more and write more.
During my Eenadu days, I also used to write filmy reports for their film weekly Sitara and I covered the 100-days celebration of Gang Leader, the Chiranjeevi-starrer. It was the first time I physically saw my idol Chiranjeevi and the report came out very well.
Subsequently I quit Eenadu, re-joined it for a few more months before I was unceremoniously thrown out. That, however, proved a blessing in disguise and provided me an opportunity to work independently in a small newspaper called Mahanagar (evening daily). Later, I worked for another evening daily Pledge under the able guidance of senior editor (late) Kuchimanchi Satya Subrahmanyam. I shall never forget him. He was the one who brought me into English journalism and ensured that I continued in it though at one point I thought of going back to Telugu writing. Subrahmanyam garu, with his vast experience, was a very good teacher and a nice human being.
The newspapers may be “small” but the exposure they provided was really big. I was very fortunate to have worked in those newspapers, particularly under Subrahmanyam garu. Otherwise, I would have been nowhere in this profession despite having learnt a good deal of news reporting in Eenadu.
My first major break came in 1997 when I was appointed a trainee reporter in Deccan Chronicle. Mr Sriramulu was my chief in the Vijayawada bureau and working under him was another memorable experience. He is a thorough professional and man of great knowledge. He is a workaholic and a task master too. I should remember (late) Jagannathan here. He was our affable news editor and a great classical Carnatic singer. He was a good teacher as well.
In 2001, I moved over to The Times of India and was with it for six years. The only inspiring person here was M H K. He continues to be my friend, philosopher and guide.
Two persons need mention here: P B Koteswara Rao (Balu) and M Sambasiva (Samba). Only I know the kind of inspiration they have been right through my stints in DC and ToI.
From a stringer, I have now risen to become a Principal Correspondent after 19 long years in the profession. I value it a lot since only I know that I did not take any shortcuts. There have been ups and downs through these years but somehow God has helped me overcome the troubles and continue my climb. Good friends were always there to keep me going.
Undoubtedly, I have been “very sincere” to my profession right from the day one and continue to work with the same kind of zeal, devotion and sincerity. I have never compromised on values and I can certainly be proud of my achievements, even if they are only a few.
Only three or four people who too began their careers like me 18-19 years ago have succeeded in rising to a good position now. Murali (TV9), Bala Krishna (The New Indian Express), Pavan (Mumbai Mirror) and Yugandhar Reddy (Vizag). Hardwork and sincerity were their traits too. And, that’s the secret of success. Many others faded into the oblivion.
For me, there is still a long way ahead.
I turned 20, as a journalist, today. For me, it has been quite an eventful journey and a fantastic learning process.
On this occasion, I would first like to express my sincere gratitude to a few persons who actually shaped me as a journalist and helped me grow. Messrs Ananthaneni Ravi Kumar, P Hari Prasad, Boddu Bhaskar, Suresh and Peddada Navin were those who guided me through the initial days of my career – which I began as a news contributor for Eenadu Telugu daily way back on February 26, 1990. And then, there were the likes of V Gopalakrishna Murthy (Gampalagudem Murthy) and Chilukuri Venu who too used to enable me learn the fine art of writing.
I was literally a college drop-out with absolutely no interest in academics. All I possessed at that time was just common sense, some general knowledge and a youthful zeal. A few years into the profession, I acquired a graduate degree and subsequently pursued a PG diploma course in journalism and mass communications, a PG diploma in international business and PG in public administration.
I had always been an avid listener of news on radio since my childhood days and also a good reader of newspapers (Eenadu, Andhra Prabha and Indian Express) which helped me understand news and style of writing.
The way the likes of Kandukuri Suryanarayana, Addanki Mannar, Koppula Subba Rao, Prayaga Ramakrishna read out the news on All India Radio, left an impression in my mind and that kept me going from the day one of my career. I literally followed the script, so to say. I also used to listen the English, Hindi and Sanskrit news bullet-ins on radio and subsequently on Doordarshan. I have no hesitation in saying that those bullet-ins were the “real” news presented in a lucid style without any distortions and gave the information required for people. They were, in fact, an education in news writing as well.
I was very childish at the time I began my career as a journalist. But the seniors in Eenadu were very appreciative and always helped me out by teaching the basics of news reporting and offering me valuable suggestions to improve myself.
There was one “Satyam master” who used to edit reports for Newstime, an English daily then run by the Eenadu group, in his post-retirement as a lecturer.
Noticing the interest in me, he encouraged me to write a few reports in English for Newstime. The legendary cricketer Kapil Dev visited Vijayawada on a promotional trip once in April 1991 and I took the opportunity to report that in English. It was published as a two-column box story in Newstime and I was elated. There were many who patted me on the back for that and it only spurred me to learn more and write more.
During my Eenadu days, I also used to write filmy reports for their film weekly Sitara and I covered the 100-days celebration of Gang Leader, the Chiranjeevi-starrer. It was the first time I physically saw my idol Chiranjeevi and the report came out very well.
Subsequently I quit Eenadu, re-joined it for a few more months before I was unceremoniously thrown out. That, however, proved a blessing in disguise and provided me an opportunity to work independently in a small newspaper called Mahanagar (evening daily). Later, I worked for another evening daily Pledge under the able guidance of senior editor (late) Kuchimanchi Satya Subrahmanyam. I shall never forget him. He was the one who brought me into English journalism and ensured that I continued in it though at one point I thought of going back to Telugu writing. Subrahmanyam garu, with his vast experience, was a very good teacher and a nice human being.
The newspapers may be “small” but the exposure they provided was really big. I was very fortunate to have worked in those newspapers, particularly under Subrahmanyam garu. Otherwise, I would have been nowhere in this profession despite having learnt a good deal of news reporting in Eenadu.
My first major break came in 1997 when I was appointed a trainee reporter in Deccan Chronicle. Mr Sriramulu was my chief in the Vijayawada bureau and working under him was another memorable experience. He is a thorough professional and man of great knowledge. He is a workaholic and a task master too. I should remember (late) Jagannathan here. He was our affable news editor and a great classical Carnatic singer. He was a good teacher as well.
In 2001, I moved over to The Times of India and was with it for six years. The only inspiring person here was M H K. He continues to be my friend, philosopher and guide.
Two persons need mention here: P B Koteswara Rao (Balu) and M Sambasiva (Samba). Only I know the kind of inspiration they have been right through my stints in DC and ToI.
From a stringer, I have now risen to become a Principal Correspondent after 19 long years in the profession. I value it a lot since only I know that I did not take any shortcuts. There have been ups and downs through these years but somehow God has helped me overcome the troubles and continue my climb. Good friends were always there to keep me going.
Undoubtedly, I have been “very sincere” to my profession right from the day one and continue to work with the same kind of zeal, devotion and sincerity. I have never compromised on values and I can certainly be proud of my achievements, even if they are only a few.
Only three or four people who too began their careers like me 18-19 years ago have succeeded in rising to a good position now. Murali (TV9), Bala Krishna (The New Indian Express), Pavan (Mumbai Mirror) and Yugandhar Reddy (Vizag). Hardwork and sincerity were their traits too. And, that’s the secret of success. Many others faded into the oblivion.
For me, there is still a long way ahead.
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