Veteran journalist Raju Santhanam to deliver first Prof. Vepa Rao Memorial Lecture

Veteran journalist Raju Santhanam, former Editor of The Statesman and former Head of Zee News, will deliver the first Prof. Vepa Rao Memorial Lecture at the historic Gothic Hall, Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, on Saturday, October 31, at 11 am. Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The lecture is being organised to commemorate the fourth death anniversary of Prof. Vepa Rao, an eminent journalist and pioneering journalism educator who steered the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) for three decades. Through his profound scholarship, mentorship and commitment, Prof. Rao shaped generations of journalists and left an indelible imprint on journalism education in Himachal Pradesh.

The memorial lecture is being organised by Prof. Vepa Rao’s former students in collaboration with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, HPU, and Keekli Charitable Trust. The initiative seeks to honour his enduring legacy while fostering meaningful dialogue on journalism and its evolving role in contemporary society.

Santhanam brings nearly four decades of rich experience across print, television and digital media. His association with Prof. Rao at The Statesman lends a deeply personal resonance to the inaugural lecture.

Born in Andhra Pradesh in 1946, Prof. Vepa Rao served as Sunday Editor of the Hindustan Times, worked with The Tribune and later as Editorial Adviser to The Statesman. He arrived in Shimla in 1987 as a Resident Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, where his research on communication and development culminated in his acclaimed book, A Curve in the Hills. In 1990, he took charge of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at HPU, where he mentored generations of students.

His contribution to journalism education extended far beyond HPU. He also taught at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, and was honoured with the Himachal Pradesh Government Award for Development Journalism in 1997. A poet of rare sensitivity, he authored a collection titled Liquid Folds, reflecting his broader literary and intellectual pursuits.

Remembered by his students for his warmth, wit and personal attention, Prof. Vepa Rao guided countless aspiring journalists and remained a trusted mentor throughout their careers. His influence lives on through the journalists he nurtured.

Prof. Vepa Rao passed away on October 31, 2022, at the age of 76. The inaugural memorial lecture seeks to carry forward his abiding commitment to intellectual inquiry, professional integrity and excellence in journalism education.