Hyderabad: Ministers Duddilla Sridhar Babu and Ponnam Prabhakar unveiled the MS Acharya statue at the Journalists Colony in Gopanpally, Hyderabad.
The statue honours freedom fighter and senior journalist M. S. Acharya, who played a significant role in Telangana journalism.
Family members, journalists and public representatives attended the ceremony marking the MS Acharya statue unveiling.
The statue was designed by Acharya’s son Madabhushi Sridhar and sculpted by artist Upendra.
MS Acharya statue honours legacy of value-based journalism
Speaking at the event, Minister Sridhar Babu said the MS Acharya statue symbolised the legacy of value-based journalism.
He noted that Acharya rose from working as a newspaper delivery boy to becoming an editor.
Acharya later led publications such as Janadharma and Warangal Vani, bringing several public issues to light.
According to the minister, Acharya fought against the Nizam’s rule and dedicated his life to informing society.
He said Acharya earned recognition as a journalist who believed strongly in the power of the written word.
Sridhar Babu added that journalists like Acharya remained an inspiration to the present generation.
He also said journalism had changed significantly compared with earlier decades.
The minister warned that corporate influence in the media could become dangerous if it controlled editorial freedom.
He urged journalists to uphold ethical values and avoid treating journalism as a ready-made profession.
MS Acharya statue ceremony highlights role of media
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said Acharya inspired generations of journalists in Telangana.
He noted that small newspapers from rural areas played a vital role in shaping public awareness.
Publications such as Janadharma and Warangal Vani contributed significantly to journalism in the region.
Ponnam Prabhakar said journalists should freely criticise governments when necessary.
However, he added that such criticism must remain responsible and value-based.
He encouraged the younger generation of journalists to follow the example set by Acharya.
Telangana Media Academy Chairman K. Srinivas Reddy also spoke at the event.
He said Acharya became synonymous with journalism in Warangal.
According to him, many journalists who worked with Acharya learned valuable lessons from his guidance.
Journalists Housing Society president Brahmandabheri Goparaju also addressed the gathering.
He explained the issues faced by the housing society and requested government support for resolving them.
Members of Acharya’s family, senior journalists and colony residents attended the programme.
Among those present were MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Study Circle Director Mamidi Harikrishna and senior journalists N. Ramachandra Murthy and Dharuri Venkatachari.
The ceremony concluded with tributes to Acharya’s contribution to journalism and public awareness.