Hyderabad: Pullela Gopichand pays tribute to media baron Ramoji Rao

Hyderabad: Paying tributes to media mogul Ramoji Rao, India’s badminton coach Pullela Gopichand said it is a great loss, having “never seen a visionary person like him”. Rao died while undergoing treatment at Star Hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana on Saturday morning. He was 87. Rao’s legacy is enormous, including several successful business ventures and media productions. “I think it is a great loss for the people of the country, especially for the Telugu people. As far as inspiration is concerned, there is no one like him. When we talk about contributing to society, there is no one like Ramoji Rao.

Personally, Ramoji Rao silently supported many athletes through the academy. I have never seen a visionary person like him in sports in the last 3-4 years. It is a great loss for all of us. I offer my condolences,” Gopichand told reporters here on Saturday. Under Rao’s leadership, Eenadu became a major force in Telugu media. His other business ventures include the film production house Usha Kiran Movies, the film distribution company Mayuri Film Distributors, the financial services firm Margdarshi Chit Fund and the hotel chain Dolphin Group of Hotels. He was also the head of the ETV network of television channels. In 2016, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, from then President Pranab Mukherjee.