It is exactly one year ago the cable industry has lost one of its towering personality, Hathway Rajasekhar. He led the Cable Operators and MSOs and organized the group as an efficient union to fight against the broadcasters for their reasonable share. Though representing a corporate distribution platform, he knows the operators and their plight. He always stood for the cable fraternity and is always remembered for his leadership n the industry.
Chelikani Rajasekhar, fondly called as Hathway Rajasekhar was born on 4th April at Seetanagaram, erstwhile Visakahpatnam District (now Vizianagaram Dist). in Andhra Pradesh, he has started his career as a cable operator at Visakhapatnam. Within no time he was able to be noticed by Hathway and became its Regional Head. He was instrumental in the expansion of hatchway and made it numero uno MSO in Hyderabad. Upon resignation, he concentrated on his own cable network Venkata Sai Media.
He has worked for the welfare of the Cable Industry. As the founder president of MSOs Welfare Association, he is remembered by the cable fraternity. He led the movement against Gemini group’s alleged pay TV packages and succeeded in bringing them to a dialogue where the decision was in favour of the MSOs and LCOs. He always saw to it that the MSOs and LCOs are benefited. At one point in time, MAA Group tried to underestimate the power of Hathway and tried to instigate the cable subscribers to exert pressure on the MSO. However, MAA had to lose the battle and Hathway could prove its strength.
Since Hathway proved to be the number one MSO with highest number of cable connections in twin cities, broadcasters were dependent on Hathway for distribution in Hyderabad, the crucial place for commercials.
Rajasekhar was an ardent ball badminton player since his childhood. He has sponsored many Badminton tournaments. He has also donated to CM’s relief fund magnanimously. He was also state president for Ball Badminton Association.
By the time Digitization started, Rajasekhar was out of Hathway and concentrated on his own Venkata Sai Media which has its presence in Vijayawada and Vizag apart from Hyderabad. After a couple of years, he slowly distanced himself from the active business, became philosophical and leaned towards devotion. Last year, exactly on this day, Rajasekhar succumbed to cardiac arrest.
His leadership in the cable sector has made the LCOs and MSOs do their business proudly where broadcasters were made to feel the supremacy of distribution in the television industry. On behalh the cable industry and on behalf of our Brightway Communications, I pay rich tributes to the departed soul on this first death anniversary.
M. Subhash Reddy
MD, Brightway Communications
President, Telangana MSO’s Assocoation
