RAMNATH GOENKA
FROM SAMPATH'S DESK:
RAMNATH
GOENKA
(22 April
1904 - 5 October 1991)
Late Mr. Ramnath Goenka (RNG) was the
founder of the Express Group and the doyen and champion of Free Press in
India. A democracy-savvy Goenka-ji fought a relentless battle against the
establishment at the Centre during his lifetime for slapping Internal Emergency,
taking cudgels against people inconvenient to them, and gagging and muzzling
the voices of dissent, human rights, civil liberties, and justice that were throttled then.
In this context, it is apt to recall the rich contributions of the late Jaiprakash Narayan who
stirred the conscience of the people and led the struggle against the draconian
measures including the ‘state of Emergency’ imposed by the former PM Indira
Gandhi-led Congress government. Like him, RNG battled for freedom of the press and
stood up for truth, righteousness, justice, democracy, and freedom of thought
and expression throughout. The Indian Express Group founder contributed in no
less measure to wage a war on democratic lines against the then repressive,
suppressive, and oppressive Emergency-fame regime. In fact, it was no less than a second
Independence struggle.
While JP or Lok Nayak was a tall
national leader leading the struggle countrywide against the Emergency,
Ramnath Goenka never budged on the role of the media, especially the Indian
Express which had always fulfilled its responsibility as a watchdog of
democracy. The crucial hour was the Emergency forced on the people of India on the
night of June 25, 1975. When the fundamental rights of citizens were tampered with and curtailed, and
censorship was imposed on newspapers, the Express was one of the few newspapers to
defy government orders. When the media was asked to bend, many chose to
crawl. The Indian Express was an exception. On the night the Emergency was imposed,
the paper carried a blank edit page to show its defiance.
In fact, ‘The Indian Express’ had to
bear the brunt of the ‘draconian punitive measures', especially during the post-emergency period and whenever the paper did not savour and/or appreciate
the unfair and unreasonable directives from the rulers. It also didn’t curry
favour with those at the helm and shunned kneeling or cringing before them.
The Indian Express has always been synonymous with robust cardinal principles like calling a spade a spade, upholding journalism without fear or favour, and freedom of press up to the hilt - never bending, buckling, or retreating in the face of pressure from the powers that be much less other vested interests. He and his group always kept aloft the scepter of distinct status and stature of neutral and unbiased journalism - which the Group always endeared itself to - in the best interest of the people of the country and our democratic ethos.
RNG had the indomitable nerve,
spirit, and daring qualities to lead the newspaper through thick and thin, especially
during the testing times and this deserves special praise. By laying a strong foundation,
the Iconic journalistic giant enabled the Express group of
newspapers, journals, and magazines to make great strides even as it continued
to stand for all journalistic values and virtues. Yes, the Express Group did
venture into where others feared to tread. And, the trend continues even now.
The Express remaining the true voice of ordinary Indians waged an unrelenting battle against the misdemeanors of the politically influential and powerful and exposed many scams and scandals. The Group of publications was even denied government advertisements. But
still, the Goenka-led Group stood like a strong and solid rock to uphold democracy and freedom of expression - at all costs and by all means.
Undeterred, the Express marched on. In
the late 1980’s it was the Express that was in the vanguard of the battle for
press freedom when the government introduced a bill aimed at suppressing and
silencing the voice of the press. The Express led the crusade which was
eventually joined by other members of the press, the legal profession, and even
members of the ruling clique. The stiff resistance forced the government to withdraw the bill from the Rajya Sabha at the last moment although it was passed by the Lok
Sabha where the ruling party had a brute majority.
Yes, it has been a courageous, bold, brave, and
heroic journey for the Express Group of RNG which is going great guns even now.
The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards (RNG Awards) are presented every year by the Express Group since 2006 to journalists in recognition of their commitment to and courage for their outstanding contributions to journalism.
Salutes to the valiant rights-warrior
RNG! Long live his name and fame! Long live The Express Group!
R.SAMPATH
A media baron RNG always stood by his stand on certain principles including anti establishment reporting. In fact Cement Scandal by A.R. Antulay's Congress government in Maharashtra was exposed by INDIAN EXPRESS and Antulay has to go out as C.M. A well written article on him by you is nice
ReplyDeleteRavinarayanan
Great write-up towards Ramnath Goenka. I would like to thank the Indian Express for bucking the trend and being unbiased. RNG is a courageous freedom fighter.
ReplyDeleteI read your Article on Shri RAMNATH GOENKA a couple of times.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, it revived green memories, particularly of me, who joined our office just a few months after the Emergency Rule was withdrawn. I still remember the contents of some posters well etched as they are in my memory lane. One I remember was on the wall behind A.O. Mr. NARAYANAN. It read thus, “My time is important. Be careful in your occupation of my time ". There were also posters displayed on the walls of the office in each floor carrying messages like ‘Don’t believe or spread rumours’ and ‘Mind your business, your own business’, and the like. There were also many such sermons to government employees and the general public in them.
Your article clearly brought out the displeasure, dismay, and disquiet people were feeling yoked as they were by the ruling clique.
Like you clearly stated, “RNG had the indomitable nerve, spirit and daring qualities…………”; here, I would like to add “the regime of that day could disturb neither his equanimity, nor his poise, nor his determination, nor his composure, nor his self-control, but he remained a tall mountain against adversities of sorts he had to face on account of his opposition to the rulers and their agents. Yes, he always stood his ground.
Ramnath Goenka used his immensely powerful tools to resist the trap to make him fall in line. He was in a way successful in making them fall into an abyss of darkness through their own faults.
The Nation salutes this indomitable warrior of the freedom of Press, whose frontiers he fearlessly defended and pushed, often at enormous cost to himself.
Very Nice Article Sampath ji
Thanks
Kamala Subramanian