Eluru: The Amruthavani Telugu Service commemorated RVA Day on Sunday, October 12, at St. Theresa’s Church in Eluru, bringing together faithful from across the region for a day of prayer, reflection, and celebration.
The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Bishop Jayarao Polimera of the Eluru Diocese, who delivered an inspiring homily emphasizing the role of media in spreading the Gospel. During the ceremony, the Bishop administered Confirmation and First Holy Communion to children and youth, marking a spiritual milestone for the younger members of the congregation.
Fr. Pappula Sudhakar, Coordinator of the RVA Telugu Service, shared the rich history of the service. Originally launched in English on April 11, 1969, responsibility for the programme was entrusted to the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) in 1970. Recognizing the need to reach Telugu-speaking communities, the Amruthavani Communications Centre launched the RVA Telugu Service in 1976. From its inception until 2018, the service primarily reached audiences through radio broadcasts.
Since 2018, RVA Telugu has expanded into the digital age, offering content on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, including Telugu news, Vatican updates, and programmes covering weather and the environment. Fr. Sudhakar highlighted that the core mission of RVA remains unchanged: to “proclaim the Word of the Lord to all people of Asia, particularly local communities in their own languages.”
The celebration not only honored RVA’s longstanding contribution to faith-based media but also reinforced its continued relevance in the digital era, connecting communities through spiritual guidance and timely information.