Created by Chunu&45
Last edited February 15, 2026
>Chunu&45
mNo edit summary
 
No edit summary
 
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Founder of the Indian Express Group}}
{{Short description|Indian newspaper publisher (1904–1991)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Ramnath Goenka
| name              = Ramnath Goenka
| image              = Ramnath Goenka 1942.jpg
| image              = Ramnath Goenka 1942.jpg
| caption            = Ramnath Goenka in 1942
| caption            = Goenka in 1942
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|df=yes|1904|4|22}}
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|df=yes|1904|4|22}}
| birth_place        = [[Darbhanga]], [[Bihar]], [[British India]]
| birth_place        = [[Darbhanga]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date        = {{death date and age|df=yes|1991|10|5|1904|4|3}}
| death_date        = {{death date and age|df=yes|1991|10|5|1904|4|3}}
| death_place        = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| death_place        = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| occupation        = Media businessman
| occupation        = Media businessman
| party              = [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]]
| party              = [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]]
| spouse            = Moongibai Goenka
| spouse            =  
}}
}}


'''Ramnath Goenka''' (22 April 1904– 5 October 1991) 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.<ref name=":0">''A doyen of Indian Journalism, Shri Goenka's greatest passion was the print media. He launched the Indian Express in 1932. -'' https://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lsdeb/ls10/ses2/02201191.htm</ref> In 2000, ''[[India Today]]'' magazine, named him amongst their list of ''"100 People Who Shaped India"''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/millennium/100people/goenka.html|title=THOUGHT & ACTION: The Baron|last=Naqvi|first=Saeed|year=2000|publisher=Indian Today}}</ref> The [[Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards]], named after Ramnath Goenka, are one of the awards in India in the field of journalism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ramnath-goenka-foundation/|title=Ramnath Goenka Awards, Journalism Awards, Journalism Awards for Excellence 2015|website=expressindia.indianexpress.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cij.co.in/Award.php|title=:: Award ::|website=cij.co.in|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/culture/wires-sangeeta-barooah-pisharoty-wins-ramnath-goenka-award-feature-writing|title=The Wire's Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Wins Ramnath Goenka Award for Feature Writing - The Wire|website=The Wire|access-date=2018-05-03}}</ref>
'''Ramnath Goenka''' (22 April 1904 – 5 October 1991) was an Indian newspaper publisher. He bought the majority stake of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' in 1930s. He created the [[Indian Express Group]] with various English and regional language publications.<ref name=":0">"A doyen of Indian Journalism, Shri Goenka's greatest passion was the print media. He with the permission of his Capitalists partner Raja Mohan Prasad for whom he worked as a working partner on a salary of rs 100 per month from 1926 to 1936 acquired these properties and media empire from the partnership firm and gave a declaration of trust DTD 1-09-1936 making Raja Mohan Prasad as the beneficiary of this entire empire and he being a nominal trustee launched the Indian Express in 1932 which he did not fulfill. The Prasad family finally filed a suit for ownership in 1982 of the empire and properties and all investments along with undisputed marked 445 exhibits including current legal heirs admittance in sworn affidavit stating source of funds from partnership firm and Raja Mohan prasad." https://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lsdeb/ls10/ses2/02201191.htm</ref> In 2000, ''[[India Today]]'' magazine, named him amongst their list of ''"100 People Who Shaped India"''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/millennium/100people/goenka.html|title=THOUGHT & ACTION: The Baron|last=Naqvi|first=Saeed|year=2000|publisher=Indian Today|access-date=28 July 2010|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924042427/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/millennium/100people/goenka.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards]], named after Ramnath Goenka, are one of the awards in India in the field of journalism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ramnath-goenka-foundation/|title=Ramnath Goenka Awards, Journalism Awards, Journalism Awards for Excellence 2015|website=expressindia.indianexpress.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510180047/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ramnath-goenka-foundation/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cij.co.in/Award.php|title=:: Award ::|website=cij.co.in|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03|archive-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407045634/http://cij.co.in/Award.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/culture/wires-sangeeta-barooah-pisharoty-wins-ramnath-goenka-award-feature-writing|title=The Wire's Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Wins Ramnath Goenka Award for Feature Writing - The Wire|website=The Wire|access-date=2018-05-03}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Ramnath Goenka was born on 3 April 1904<ref>{{cite news |title=Glowing tributes to Ramnath Goenka |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/23/stories/2004042306051100.htm |date=22 April 2004 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040602165924/http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/23/stories/2004042306051100.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archivedate=2 June 2004}}</ref> in  Darbhanga [[Bihar]], to Basantlal Goenka.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Reed|first1=Stanley|authorlink1=Stanley Reed (British politician)|title=The Indian And Pakistan Year Book And Who's Who 1950|date=1950|publisher=[[The Times Group|Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd.]]|page=679|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.15206|accessdate=20 February 2018}}</ref>schooled in Benares (Varanasi), and sent by his family to Madras (now Chennai) in 1922 to become a dealer in yarn and jute.
Ramnath Goenka was born on 22 April 1904<ref>{{cite news |title=Glowing tributes to Ramnath Goenka |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/23/stories/2004042306051100.htm |date=22 April 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040602165924/http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/23/stories/2004042306051100.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=2 June 2004 |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> in  Darbhanga [[Bihar]], to Basantlal Goenka.<ref>{{cite book|last=Reed|first=Stanley|author-link=Stanley Reed (British politician)|title=The Indian And Pakistan Year Book And Who's Who 1950|date=1950|publisher=[[The Times Group|Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd.]]|page=679|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.15206|access-date=20 February 2018}}</ref>


==Career ==
==Career ==


He took shelter with a family named Chaudhry which came from a village near to his native Mandawa, at 23 Peria Naicker Street.<ref>warrior of the Fourth Estate page 15 and 16</ref>
Worked as a managing partner on a salary of 100 Rs per month from 1926 to 1936 under partner Raja Mohan Prasad in the partnership firms Murli Prasad Mohan Prasad from 1926 to 1931 and then Chunnilal Murliprasad from 1931 onwards, who were Consignee sales agents (Dubashish agents) for a British trading company importing gold, silver and cotton in India. Simultaneously, he took up a job as chief salesman of the  British trading company from 1931 to 1936 on a salary of Rs. 800 per month, out of which 500 belonged to the partnership firm. This empire, along with properties, was acquired for the Trust of Raja Mohan Prasad and is held in trust by the current legal heirs.


During the [[The Emergency (India)#Criticism against the Government|Emergency Period]] of India, Ramnath Goenka was one of the few independent businessman and journalists that stood up to the government opposing Indira Gandhi.<ref name="Sharma, 2012" >{{cite book | author = Vishwamitra Sharma | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0Y43DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA82 | title = Famous Indians of the 20th Century|page = 82| publisher = V & S Publishers |year = 2012 | oclc = 800734508|isbn = 9789350572412 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20190424145702/https://books.google.it/books?id=0Y43DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA82%23v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date = April 24, 2019|url-status = live}}</ref>
During the [[The Emergency (India)#Criticism|Emergency Period]] of India, Ramnath Goenka was one of the few businessmen and journalists who opposed the Indira Gandhi government.<ref name="Sharma, 2012" >{{cite book | author = Vishwamitra Sharma | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0Y43DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA82 | title = Famous Indians of the 20th Century|page = 82| publisher = V & S Publishers |year = 2012 | oclc = 800734508|isbn = 9789350572412 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20190424145702/https://books.google.it/books?id=0Y43DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA82%23v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date = April 24, 2019|url-status = live}}</ref> He made a formidable team with [[Arun Shourie]] whom he appointed as editor of the Indian Express, exposing corruption and censorship.<ref name="print">{{cite web | last=Paranjape | first=Makarand R. |authorlink=Makarand Paranjape| title=Arun Shourie, crusader against corruption faces corruption charge | website=ThePrint | date=20 September 2020 | url=https://theprint.in/opinion/being-indian/arun-shourie-crusader-against-corruption-charged-with-corruption-it-happens-only-in-india/506475/ | access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>


He used to go on pilgrimage to [[List of Hindu temples in Tirupati|Tirupati]].<ref name="Sharma, 2012" />
== Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha ==
In the [[1971 Indian general election]], Goenka was elected as the [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]] from [[Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency]] as a candidate of [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Members : Lok Sabha |url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/members/partyardetail.aspx?party_code=62&lsno=5 |website=loksabhaph.nic.in |publisher=Parliament of India |access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
Line 63: Line 64:
[[Category:Members of the Constituent Assembly of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Constituent Assembly of India]]
[[Category:Rai Sahibs]]
[[Category:Rai Sahibs]]
[[Category:5th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1971–1977]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:People from Vidisha]]
[[Category:People from Vidisha]]
[[Category:People from Bihar]]
[[Category:People from Bihar]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Jana Sangh politicians]]
[[Category:People from Darbhanga]]
[[Category:People of the Emergency (India)]]

Latest revision as of 10:40, 15 February 2026


Ramnath Goenka
Goenka in 1942
Born(1904-04-22)22 April 1904
Died5 October 1991(1991-10-05) (aged 87)
OccupationMedia businessman
Political partyBharatiya Jana Sangh

Ramnath Goenka (22 April 1904 – 5 October 1991) was an Indian newspaper publisher. He bought the majority stake of The Indian Express in 1930s. He created the Indian Express Group with various English and regional language publications.[1] In 2000, India Today magazine, named him amongst their list of "100 People Who Shaped India".[2] The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards, named after Ramnath Goenka, are one of the awards in India in the field of journalism.[3][4][5]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Ramnath Goenka was born on 22 April 1904[6] in Darbhanga Bihar, to Basantlal Goenka.[7]

Career[edit | edit source]

Worked as a managing partner on a salary of 100 Rs per month from 1926 to 1936 under partner Raja Mohan Prasad in the partnership firms Murli Prasad Mohan Prasad from 1926 to 1931 and then Chunnilal Murliprasad from 1931 onwards, who were Consignee sales agents (Dubashish agents) for a British trading company importing gold, silver and cotton in India. Simultaneously, he took up a job as chief salesman of the British trading company from 1931 to 1936 on a salary of Rs. 800 per month, out of which 500 belonged to the partnership firm. This empire, along with properties, was acquired for the Trust of Raja Mohan Prasad and is held in trust by the current legal heirs.

During the Emergency Period of India, Ramnath Goenka was one of the few businessmen and journalists who opposed the Indira Gandhi government.[8] He made a formidable team with Arun Shourie whom he appointed as editor of the Indian Express, exposing corruption and censorship.[9]

Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha[edit | edit source]

In the 1971 Indian general election, Goenka was elected as the Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency as a candidate of Bharatiya Jana Sangh.[10]

Death[edit | edit source]

Goenka died in Mumbai on 5 October 1991.[1]

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.[11]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "A doyen of Indian Journalism, Shri Goenka's greatest passion was the print media. He with the permission of his Capitalists partner Raja Mohan Prasad for whom he worked as a working partner on a salary of rs 100 per month from 1926 to 1936 acquired these properties and media empire from the partnership firm and gave a declaration of trust DTD 1-09-1936 making Raja Mohan Prasad as the beneficiary of this entire empire and he being a nominal trustee launched the Indian Express in 1932 which he did not fulfill. The Prasad family finally filed a suit for ownership in 1982 of the empire and properties and all investments along with undisputed marked 445 exhibits including current legal heirs admittance in sworn affidavit stating source of funds from partnership firm and Raja Mohan prasad." https://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lsdeb/ls10/ses2/02201191.htm
  2. Naqvi, Saeed (2000). "THOUGHT & ACTION: The Baron". Indian Today. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  3. "Ramnath Goenka Awards, Journalism Awards, Journalism Awards for Excellence 2015". expressindia.indianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  4. ":: Award ::". cij.co.in. Archived from the original on 7 April 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  5. "The Wire's Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Wins Ramnath Goenka Award for Feature Writing - The Wire". The Wire. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  6. "Glowing tributes to Ramnath Goenka". The Hindu. 22 April 2004. Archived from the original on 2 June 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  7. Reed, Stanley (1950). The Indian And Pakistan Year Book And Who's Who 1950. Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd. p. 679. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  8. Vishwamitra Sharma (2012). Famous Indians of the 20th Century. V & S Publishers. p. 82. ISBN 9789350572412. OCLC 800734508.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. Paranjape, Makarand R. (20 September 2020). "Arun Shourie, crusader against corruption faces corruption charge". ThePrint. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  10. "Members : Lok Sabha". loksabhaph.nic.in. Parliament of India. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  11. Robin Jeffrey (2000). India's Newspaper Revolution: Capitalism, Politics and the Indian-language Press, 1977-99. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 109. ISBN 9781850654346. OCLC 246163109.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]