Renowned Journalist And Educator Vepa Rao Passes Away At 76. Himachal CM Jairam Thakur Mourns Demise

Scores of Vepa Rao's former students, family members, journalists, members of Himachal Pradesh University teaching fraternity, politicians, and bureaucrats have expressed grief over his demise.

Renowned journalist and educationist Vepa Rao passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness at 76, at a hospital in Hyderabad. Rao worked with renowned newspapers and is best known for his contribution to education in journalism from 1990 to 2006 at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla, along with his stint at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

Rao, as a fellow at the Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla, published a research-based book 'A Curve in the Hills'. He also wrote a poetry anthology 'Liquid Folds'. He also received a state award for developmental journalism from the state government for his outstanding reporting in 1997.

Scores of his former students and family members, journalists, members of the Himachal Pradesh University teaching fraternity, politicians, and bureaucrats have expressed grief over his demise.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur mourned the death of the educator and expressed grief in a tweet. 

"Received the sad news of the passing away of renowned journalist and educationist Prof. Vepa Rao ji. His contribution to the field of journalism and education will always be remembered. May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members," Himachal Chief Minister tweeted in Hindi.

Two-time Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has termed his death as "the end of an era". He further said: "As a Chief Minister, wherever I went, I would very often run into a journalist trained by Prof Rao."

State Congress President Pratibha Singh said: "He was a beacon of light and reason. He has a unique political and social acumen."

Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said: "Prof Vepa Rao's contribution to journalism and journalism education will always be remembered by the people of the state."

SP Bansal, Vice Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, said: "He was a stellar teacher and the pride of our university."

A condolence meeting was held in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. The meeting was attended by students of the current batch along with his former students, including some from his first batch in 1990.

(With IANS input)