Ramnath Goenka


Ramnath Goenka was an Indian newspaper publisher. He launched The Indian Express in 1932 and created the Indian Express Group with various English and regional language publications. In 2000, India Today magazine, named him amongst their list of "100 People Who Shaped India". The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards, named after Ramnath Goenka, have become one of the most prestigious award functions for Indian journalists.

Early life

Ramnath Goenka was born on 22 April 1904 in Bihar, to Basantlal Goenka.

Career

He took shelter with a family named Chaudhry which came from a village near to his native Mandawa, at 23 Peria Naicker Street.
During the Emergency Period of India, Ramnath Goenka was one of the few independent businessman and journalists that stood up to the government opposing Indira Gandhi.
He used to go on pilgrimage to Tirupati.

Death

Goenka died in Mumbai on 5 October 1991.
In 1997 the heirs of Ramnath Goenka made a division of the Indian Express Group into two separated operations. The northern segment was put under the control of Viveck Goenka, whereas the southern one went to the family branch of Manoj Sonthalia.