Farewell to a Media Titan: Ramoji Rao's Final Journey

Ch Ramoji Rao, the media baron and chairman of the Ramoji Group, was cremated at Ramoji Film City with full state honors. He revolutionized the news and entertainment industry and was a recipient of Padma Vibhushan. Various dignitaries paid their respects at the funeral on Sunday.

The mortal remains of media baron and Ramoji Group chairman, Ch Ramoji Rao, were consigned to flames near here on Sunday.

The funeral took place with full state honors at Ramoji Film City, attended by his family, friends, and well-wishers. His son Kiron lit the pyre.

Ramoji Rao, who drastically transformed the news and entertainment sectors, died at a hospital here early on Saturday at the age of 88.

A host of dignitaries, including former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, former Chief Justice of India N V Ramana, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and D Seethakka, and members from the film fraternity paid their final respects to Ramoji Rao.

Chandrababu Naidu, who helped carry the bier, said on 'X': ''My heart is filled with deep sorrow as I took part in the final rites and bid adieu to Telugu doyen Ramoji Rao. Though he may not be among us now, his glory will eternally shine like the rays of dawn''.

Rao, known for creating a sensation in the media industry in undivided Andhra Pradesh with the Eenadu newspaper and ETV channel group, was honored with Padma Vibhushan.

The Andhra Pradesh government declared state mourning on June 9 and 10 to honor his memory.

During the period of state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the state, and there will be no official entertainment, according to an official communiqué.