VISAKHAPATNAM: Senior journalist Behera Raja Rao (60), died at his residence in Simhachalam in the early hours of Sunday due to prolonged illness.
He is survived by wife and two sons. Raja Rao had been part of the Express Group throughout his journalistic career, spanning over 30 years. He joined the ‘Andhra Prabha’ newspaper as a contributor in late 1980s for news reporting from Simhachalam and Visakhapatnam.
He was later appointed as the correspondent for ‘The New Indian Express’ in 2003 at Vizianagaram where he worked for about seven years. Then, he was transferred to Visakhapatnam where he retired in 2012. He worked for evening daily ‘Leader’ until he was diagnosed with a lung disorder.
Known for his jovial nature and friendly attitude, Raja Rao enjoyed good relations with journalists from different generations and was fondly called as ‘old man’ or ‘uncle’. AP Working Journalists’ Federation of Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram chapters, Uttarandhra Journalists’ Front and Vizag Journalists’ Forum expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.