Iconic media personality I. Ramamohan Rao cremated in Delhi

The cremation of Mr. I. Ramamohan Rao, who passed away on Saturday after a brief illness, was held at Lodhi Crematorium in Delhi on 15 May  afternoon.

The last rites were performed by Mrs. Smita Prakash, the daughter of Mr. I. Ramamohan Rao, in the presence of his son-in-law Mr. Sanjiv Prakash, members of the family, friends and well wishers.

Mr. Rao had an illustrious career spanning over six decades in which he held several key appoints with Government of India and the civil stream. He superannuated from the government from the top position of Principal Information Officer, Government of India, and went on to hold many advisory positions. He was, presently, Editor (Print) Asian News International (ANI).

A large number of people, from various walks of life, who had known Mr. Rao, or had worked with him, came to pay homage to him. Among those present were top bureaucrats, political leaders from all parties, analysts, intellectuals and friends who had been associated with him.

Others used the medium of Twitter to pay their homage to the departed soul and forward their messages of condolences.

"Shocked to learn about the demise of Sri Ram Mohan Rao Fmr PIO, PIB . A visionary in Govt communication, huge loss for IIS service. RIP," tweeted Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.

"Saddened by the demise of former PIO, PIB Sri Ram Mohan Rao. Stellar communicator and a warm human being. Condolences to the family," tweeted Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

"Saddened by demise of Sh.Ramamohan Rao who served as a journalist & communicator for over 60yrs & also Media Adviser to 4 fmr. PMs @ANI_news," tweeted Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel.

"The passing away of Shri I. Ramamohan Rao is a huge loss to the Indian Information Service fraternity," he added.

"A veteran of the Indian Information Service, Ramamohan Raoji rose to the pinnacle of his career& embodied the best values of his profession. A former PIO to GoI, he worked with four Prime Ministers including my father. My sincere condolences on his passing," said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Mr. Rao joined the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in 1956. A large part of career was with the Defence Public Relations Organisation (DPRO) wherein, he was totally involved in the Indo-China War 1962 and Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971.

He was also closely associated with the efforts of the government to build the defence structure of the country and Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, was actively involved in path-breaking events like the 1982 Asiad Games, The Non-Aligned Summit in 1983 and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meet in Delhi.

He also served in the Information Division of the Research and Analysis Wing at a time when the organisation was new and finding its roots and headed the News Service Division of the All India Radio during the turbulent years, which saw the Blue Star Operation and the period after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.

He was the head of the Indian Information Service for seven years before his superannuation in 1992. During this period, he had the unique distinction of being Principal Information Officer and official spokesperson to four Prime Ministers, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh, Chandrashekar and PV Narasimha Rao.

Post superannuation Mr. Rao held many advisory positions with various state governments and institutions but after the Kargil War he dedicated his energy towards interaction and mentoring of young journalists at Asian News International.

-ANI