The speculation is doing the rounds in social circles, including the all-India media. The source of which is the joint statement of the Roy couple and the founder-leader of NDTV, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy. Where they have announced the transfer of their subordinated shares to the Adani Group.
NDTV founder-leaders Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy said in a joint statement on Friday that they have transferred majority of their shares in the television channel to industrialist Gautam Adani’s company.
NDTV had a total stake of 32.26% under the Roy-Dampati. Of this, the Roy couple has announced the transfer of 27.26% stake to the Adani group. They have kept only 5% shares to themselves. The transfer took the Adani group, which till now held 37.44% stake in NDTV, to 64.71%. As a result Adani Group is the largest shareholder of NDTV.
But this is just statistical. The joint statement made by the Roy couple announcing the transfer of NDTV is considered by many to be a milestone in the recent Indian television world. And that’s why the question has arisen whether the Roy-Dampti have left behind Dhankubar’s ‘aggressive’ attitude in the acquisition of NDTV? Did you say a lot without saying anything?
In their joint statement, which is available on NDTV’s website, they said that they started NDTV in 1988 with the vision that Indian journalism would have a viable and powerful medium to broadcast itself.
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After 34 years, say the Roy couple, that expectation has been fulfilled. Where NDTV has got the status of the most trusted television broadcaster not only in India but also in Asia.
Meanwhile, the dispute between the Roy couple and the Adani group over the acquisition of NDTV started in August this year. A lot of time has passed since then. But the impact of that controversy was not seen at all in the joint statement given by the couple. Rather, they said that all their discussions with Gautam Adani have been positive. Adani has accepted all their views, he said.
They clearly said, – ‘Mr. Adani (Gautam Adani) has invested in a brand that is synonymous with trust, credibility and independent opinion. We hope that he will maintain all these values in the future and give the leadership that this institution demands.’
In view of which, according to a group of experts, the ‘masterstroke’ of the joint statement has been given by the Roy couple!
Where they have made it clear, if nothing else, the pinnacle of journalism that NDTV has touched under their leadership can be acquired for money, but the values that this television channel has established in the world of Indian journalism are not that easy to touch.
So the ‘massive ouster’ of Roy couple from NDTV is right. But in the ‘farewell-time’ Prannoy Ray’s face that gentle smile remained!