Today marks the thirtieth Vardhanthi of legendary NT Ramarao, and tributes are pouring in from across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Several political leaders gathered at NTR Ghat to honour his memory and legacy.
Nara Lokesh, Daggubati Purandeshwari, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nomula Narasimhayya, Babu Mohan and hero Kalyan Ram were among those who visited NTR Ghat. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu attended a tribute programme at the TDP headquarters in Mangalagiri.
Renowned political cartoonist Sridhar, who earlier worked with Eenadu for several years, shared an old cartoon drawn at the time of NTR’s demise on January 18th, 1996. The cartoon once again struck an emotional chord online.
The illustration shows a common man opening his chest to reveal NTR in his heart, mirroring the Ramayana scene where Hanuman reveals Lord Rama. The image symbolises how deeply NTR lives in the hearts of Telugu people.
The man in the cartoon is portrayed as poor, highlighting NTR’s lifelong commitment to uplifting the underprivileged. Many consider this artwork the greatest cartoon tribute ever made for a political leader.
Even after three decades, the cartoon continues to resurface on social media and go viral repeatedly. It remains one of the most enduring visual tributes associated with NTR’s legacy.
While many leaders are remembered mainly for welfare schemes, NTR left his imprint across multiple spheres. Populistic initiatives like 2 Rupees Kilo Rice, 50 Rupees Per Horse Power and Abolition of Alcohol remain closely associated with his vision.
Beyond governance, NTR’s personal loss shaped public institutions. After his wife Basava Tarakam passed away due to cancer, he established a cancer hospital in Hyderabad in her name to ensure affordable treatment for all.
The hospital provides cancer care at nominal rates for white cardholders and lower costs for others. Today, it is regarded as one of the best cancer hospitals in Asia.
NTR was also progressive in reshaping democracy and social structures. He abolished the Patel, Patwari, Karnam and Munsubu systems, which were hereditary revenue posts that functioned like feudal institutions for centuries.
He firmly believed such systems had no place in a modern democracy and dismantled structures that existed for nearly 700 years. His reforms paved the way for equality and representation.
NTR was also the first leader to empower Backward Classes leaders on a large scale. Many BC leaders across parties today trace their political roots to opportunities created during his tenure through TDP.
Recognising the importance of STEM education early, NTR introduced EAMCET, then called EMCET, for engineering and medical admissions. He believed science and technology would define the future.
EAMCET transformed the mindset of Telugu youth towards STEM careers. This shift led to widespread success in IT and medicine, lifting many families out of poverty and strengthening the state’s economic growth.
Remarkably, NTR achieved all this while being in power for just seven years, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Telugu society even today.
