Tella Kasturi assumes charge as CR Media Academy Secretary

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Senior Information Department officer Tella Kasturi on Monday assumed charge as Secretary of the CR Media Academy at the academy’s office. She has been entrusted with the additional responsibility following the retirement of former Secretary Maniram.

The appointment comes after the Director of the Information and Public Relations Department issued orders assigning Kasturi, who is currently serving as Joint Director of Zone-III, full additional charge as Secretary of the academy. She formally took over the responsibilities in accordance with the government orders.

Following the assumption of charge, CR Media Academy Manager M. Bhaskara Narayana briefed Kasturi on the various training programmes, initiatives and activities being undertaken by the academy. Former Media Academy Secretary Mamidipalli Balagangadhar Tilak and several journalists met the newly appointed Secretary and extended their congratulations.

Later, Kasturi paid a courtesy visit to CR Media Academy Chairman Alapati Suresh Kumar. During the meeting, they discussed the academy’s ongoing initiatives, particularly the training programmes being conducted for rural journalists. The discussions also focused on strengthening media training activities and expanding capacity-building programmes for journalists across the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Kasturi said she would work in close coordination with academy staff to ensure the successful implementation of various programmes and initiatives undertaken by the institution. She expressed confidence that collective efforts would help further strengthen the academy’s role in enhancing professional skills among journalists, especially those working in rural areas.

The programme was attended by Academy Manager M. Bhaskara Narayana, DPO M. Lovaraju, Chairman’s PS Srinivasa Jeevan, academy staff members and media representatives.

The CR Media Academy has been actively conducting training workshops and skill-development programmes for journalists, with a special focus on rural reporting, digital journalism and professional development.

Earlier, Kasturi also assumed charge as Special Officer of the Andhra Pradesh Information Centre (APIC), New Delhi. The post fell vacant following the retirement of P. Kiran Kumar, who had been serving as Additional Director (In-charge) and holding full additional charge as APIC Special Officer. Based on orders issued by Director K.S. Viswanathan, Kasturi took over the responsibilities while continuing as Regional Joint Director, Zone-III, Ongole.

Kasturi began her career on December 21, 2001, after being selected through APPSC as District Public Relations Officer in Ranga Reddy district. She later served as DPRO in Hyderabad district and went on to hold several key positions after her promotion as Assistant Director.

She worked in the erstwhile united state’s Publicity Cell and became the first woman Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) to the Director General of Police. She also served as the first woman CPRO to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, she was allocated to the AP Information and Public Relations Department and earned promotions as Deputy Director and later Joint Director.

Over the years, she handled administration, media relations, publicity and print media advertisement wings with distinction. Currently serving as Regional Joint Director, Zone-III, Ongole, she oversees the districts of Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore and Markapuram. During her 24-year career, Kasturi has worked with nearly 25 IAS and IPS officers and earned recognition for her professionalism, administrative skills and commitment to public communication.