Radheshyam Agrawal Leaves Behind Unmatched Legacy of Pioneering Impossibles

Agrawal’s Legacy in Journalism, Education, and Social Service Shall Always Be Remembered

Radheshyam Agrawal, founder and editor of the Hindi daily UDITVANI, passed away at 83. However, his legacy would always be cherished by the city. He was known for his significant contributions to journalism, education, and social service in Jamshedpur.

JAMSHEDPUR – Radheshyam Agrawal, the founder and Chief Editor of the prominent Hindi daily newspaper UDITVANI, passed away at the age of 83.

However, his legacy of achieving the impossibles amidst adversities and odds will keep guiding others in the city, especially those who are in the field of journalism.

He made significant contributions to journalism and society since establishing the newspaper on August 22, 1980.

He founded Uditvani as a daily newspaper in a small township of Jamshedpur, when there was virtually no readership base for a local daily and almost nil advertisers.

Quitting a stable and lucrative government job in pre-reforms era, with almost no successful business model existing in the city, was a pioneering effort and a risky gambit too.

It was a shocking first step, something that was almost unthinkable for a middle class enterprising person, taken by him that soon became a glorious and profitable business decision too.

However, he not only took that risk but also ensured that his model of local business succeeded well and served the city for years.

The readership base and the group of advertisers that he so diligently developed with time came handy for later publications too.

Agrawal’s academic journey was marked by excellence, completing his B.Com. in 1961 with distinction, securing the third position at Ranchi University.

He achieved the first position in the university for his M.A. in Economics in 1963 and again secured the top position for his B.L. in 1965.

Furthering his qualifications, he obtained a Bachelor of Journalism in 1978 from Ravishankar University, Raipur, with first-class honors.

Agrawal’s professional career began as a lecturer in Economics at Ranchi College, where he taught honors and postgraduate classes from September 1963 to August 1966.

He then served as a Senior Class I Officer in the Government of Madhya Pradesh for 12 years, resigning as Assistant Commissioner of Sales Tax in October 1978.

In addition to his professional achievements, Agrawal held several important positions in professional organizations.

From 2013 to 2016, he was a member of the Standing Committee of the All India Newspaper Editors’ Conference.

His dedication to social causes was evident through his involvement in various social organizations.

He was a trustee of the Anurag Foundation, supporting children with life-threatening diseases, and the Centre for Acupressure in Jamshedpur.

Agrawal also served as a patron for Vardan Jyoti, providing medical help to the needy, and the Jharkhand Pradesh Agrawal Sammelan.

Additionally, he was a member of the Advisory Committee of the Jharkhand Prantiya Marwari Sammelan in Ranchi.

Agrawal’s commitment to community service was demonstrated through initiatives such as the UDITVANI Latur Bhukamp Rahat Kosh, which raised Rs. 65,000 in December 1993 for earthquake relief.

He also led efforts for the UDIT VANI Kargil Rahat Kosh, collecting Rs. 3,78,167 in November 1999, and the UDITVANI Gujarat Bhukamp Rahat Kosh, raising Rs. 2,15,868 in March 2001 for earthquake relief in Gujarat.

For his contributions, Agrawal was conferred the “Manav-Mitra” award by the Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Jamshedpur, in January 1997.

He was also honored by numerous social and cultural organizations in and around Jamshedpur, as well as at the state level in Jharkhand.

Radheshyam Agrawal’s legacy is marked by his unwavering dedication to journalism, education, and social service, leaving an indelible impact on the community he served.

Late Radheshyam Agrawal’s Legacy in Journalism, Education, and Social Service Shall Always Be Remembered