Mumbai: Commemorating the birth anniversary of the media veteran Pradeep Guha, a special ceremony was held to unveil a magnificent bust in his honour. Chief minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, has unveiled the bust in the presence of several media dignitaries and the Guha family. Pradeep Guha, fondly known as PG, served as a mentor to countless media personalities across the nation. The statue has been sculpted by the artist Jayram Ghopale, known for his large-scale sculpture installations.
The awe-inspiring bust was revealed at the prestigious Cricket Club of India, South Mumbai. It will be installed at Pradeep Guha Chowk on DN Road, Mumbai in the next few days. This location holds profound importance as it stands adjacent to the Times of India building, an organisation that Guha was associated with for nearly three decades.
Magnifying the significance of the event and paying tribute to Guha's enduring legacy, the event was attended by prominent personalities including Subhash Ghai, Diana Hayden, Poonam Dillon, Smita Thackeray, Ramesh Nara, and Bhupendra Makhi amongst others.
Shinde conveyed his heartfelt tribute to Guha and said, "Today, we celebrate the life of a visionary who pioneered the concept of "celebrity status" and brought revolutionary changes to the media world. He showcased the future of the media field and possessed the ability to shape the present. We are fortunate to have been a part of his work. With deep gratitude, we unveil the Statue, symbolizing his enduring impact. As we honour his legacy, let us embrace change and build upon the foundation he laid. Together, we shape the future, inspired by Pradeep Guha's remarkable journey."
Times Network CEO & MD MK Anand expressed his gratitude to the chief minister for facilitating the approval of the statue and said, “The approval for PG’s statue in Mumbai signifies a monumental occasion, as he becomes the first individual in over two decades to receive such an honour. Grateful to the CM Shri. Eknath Shinde for his guidance and assistance in the endeavour that has ensured that Pradeep Guha gets his rightful place among the legends."
Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee, who hosted the event said, "During a difficult phase of my professional career, Pradeep Guha stood by me like a pillar of strength. He never wavered, even when my path seemed uncertain. With his constant encouragement and valuable connections, Pradeep breathed life into my fading aspirations. Today, as we gather to celebrate his remarkable life, I humbly express my heartfelt gratitude to the media visionary who believed in me. Thank you, Pradeep, for being my guiding light."
Papia Guha, reflecting on what would have been Guha's 71st birthday, shared heart-warming memories of their marriage and highlighted their shared values of hard work, integrity, and giving back. She expressed, “We believed in hard work, integrity, and giving back. Little did we know that Pradeep's impact would extend beyond our immediate circle. Today, we stand in awe as his memory is honoured with a chowk in his name and a bust, surpassing our wildest dreams. Gratitude overflows as we acknowledge the Hon’ble Chief minister, Eknath Ji Shinde, Manoj for hosting this evening, the skilled sculptor Jayram Gopale, and the relentless efforts of M.K. Anand and his team. We are deeply moved by the presence of those who have travelled from different corners of the world to be here today. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you.”
The unveiling of the bust of Guha serves as a fitting tribute to a visionary who reshaped the media landscape in India. His remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to the industry will continue to inspire generations to come.
