Hyderabad: Media baron Ramoji Rao bid a tearful farewell by family and friends

Hyderabad: Media baron and Ramoji Group chairman CH Ramoji Rao was cremated here on Sunday. He was cremated with full state honours at Ramoji Film City here in the presence of his family, friends and well-wishers. His son Kiran lit the pyre. Ramoji Rao, who revolutionised the news and entertainment industry, died at a hospital here on Saturday morning. He was 88 years old. Many dignitaries including former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, former Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and D Seethakka, members of the film fraternity and others paid their last respects to Ramoji Rao.

Chandrababu Naidu, who joined in carrying the bier, said in a post on ‘X’: “My heart is filled with deep sorrow to attend the last rites and bid a final farewell to Telugu baron Ramoji Rao. He may be no more with us, but he will continue to inspire us and lead us forward as a guide. His glory will shine forever like the rays of dawn. Ramoji Rao, who created a sensation in the media industry with Eenadu newspaper and ETV channel group in undivided Andhra Pradesh, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to observe state mourning on June 9 and 10. During the state mourning, the national flag will fly at half-mast throughout the state and there will be no official entertainment, an official communication said.