Eenadu Group Chairman Cherukuri Ramoji Rao passed away here in the early hours of Saturday while being treated in a private hospital, hospital sources said.He was 88.
Ramoji Rao was admitted to the hospital on June 5 with breathing problems. He passed away at 0450 hours on Saturday while undergoing treatment, hospital sources said.
His body will be transported to his residence in Ramoji Film City, where family, friends, and admirers will pay their final respects to the legendary entrepreneur, the sources added.
Born in Pedaparupudi, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India, into an agricultural family, Ramoji-owned companies include Margadarsi Chit Fund, Eenadu newspaper, ETV Network, Rao's younger son, Cherukuri Suman, died of leukemia on September 7, 2012.
He is head of the Ramoji Group, which owns the world's largest film production facility, Ramoji Film City, the Eenadu newspaper, the ETV Network of TV channels, and the and the film production company Usha Kiran Movies.His other business ventures include Margadarsi Chit Fund, Dolphin Group of Hotels, Kalanjali Shopping Mall, Priya Pickles, and Mayuri Film Distributors.
He has garnered four Filmfare Awards South, five Nandi Awards, and the National Film Award for his works in Telugu cinema.In 2016, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, for his contributions in journalism, literature, and education. Due to heart problems, Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G. Kishan Reddy condoled the demise of Ramoji.
On ‘X’, he said, ‘Saddened by the passing of Shri Ramoji Rao Garu. His remarkable contributions to Telugu media and journalism are commendable. My deepest condolences to his family members. OM Shanti:.
Taking on microblogging platform 'X', LokSatta Founder and President Jayaprakash Narayan, while expressing condolences, said, “Ramoji Rao's passing is an irreparable loss to Telugu society and Indian journalism. An uncompromising, self-made giant, he always stood for fearless fighting spirit, dedication, innovation, integrity, credibility, farmers' welfare, and public good.”.
Ramoji strode like a colossus in the media world for about five decades, and he has been an integral part of the modern history of the Telugu-speaking people, he said.Telugu people lost a champion, and journalism lost a doughty warrior, he said.“I lost a great friend. He is the stuff of legends. His memory will be cherished for a long time. Om Shanti”, he tweeted.
