The book Vidhi Naa Saarathi is the auto-biographical work of veteran journalist and editor Potturi Venkateswara Rao (popularly known as Potturi ). Why the autobiography? Potturi mentions that the philosophical element which influenced his thinking, his pitfalls and failures (monumental failures ,as mentioned in his preface to the book), his personal perspective of life, the facts known to him on contemporary history and the lessons from his life which could benefit others- have all prompted him to write the book.
The autobiography spread over 30 chapters, traces his evolution in body, mind and spirit. Starting with an account of his childhood, Potturi (born in 1934) talks about different stages of his life. His circumstances made him discontinue his graduate degree course, leading him to pursue his passion – journalism. His journey as a journalist with all its ebbs and tides, is very interesting. He resigned from the editorship of the now defunct Udayam daily on an issue concerning editorial propriety. The author sums up his life as a journalist, quoting veteran editor, late Kotamraju Rama Rao from the latter’s The pen as my sword: “Many were the unhappy moments of my career, but never did I think of quitting journalism. Why? It is the only profession that would not deliver me up to insanity. Every day dawns anew, every day brings forth new colours, new rays of warmth, newer problems to face, new human foibles to chuckle over. Journalism is the destroyer of rust, a foe of pessimism, an amplifier of the life and work.”
Beyond Potturi’s life as an editor, lies his association with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, membership of the study group of the ethics committee of the legislative assembly of the then undivided Andhra Pradesh and the chairmanship of the state’s Press Academy (pioneering the digitisation of old newspapers and training journalists). As a member of the committee of concerned citizens, Potturi participated in the peace talks with the People’s war and Janasakti groups in 2004. He also served as a member of the State consumer disputes commission.
It was Prasadaraya Kulapati (now Sri Siddheswarananda Bharati, the pontiff of Sri Siddheswari Peetham, Kurtalam), a childhood friend, who took Potturi to Amma of Jillellamudi; Potturi who was then an atheist gradually turned to spiritualism. He set up a hermitage at Pottur, his native village in Guntur district. There is an interesting chapter in the book on the author’s meetings and association with some sages and spiritual leaders.
There are many recollections including his coverage of Nehru’s visits, writing letters to Indira Gandhi on the Telangana issue, travelling with Rajiv Gandhi on a flight, coverage of Morarji Desai’s visit to the then Soviet Union and observing P.V.Narasimha Rao’s election from Nandyala, all Prime Ministers.
What marks Potturi’s work is his dispassionate objectivity and analytical approach. He candidly discusses his mistakes and explains his standpoints on different situations, without any critical or unsavoury comments on others, minus any self glorification. Even the mentionof his struggle with cancer is stoic.
The book concludes with a philosophical note on its title. The author explains that the self is a traveller in the chariot of life, guided by destiny. Vidhi could be translated into English as destiny, providence or fate and Saarathi as charioteer, driver or guide. Potturi’s life guided by destiny has many things to offer to people from different walks of life.
VIDHI NAA SAARATHI(Autobiography in Telugu) by Potturi Venkateswara Rao
Emesco Books, 1-2-7, Banoo Colony, Domalguda, Hyderabad-29;
2015. Rs.175.
