New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday expressed anguish over the demise of eminent academician and philosopher Koneru Ramakrishna Rao.

Rao died of age-related illness in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, family sources said. He was 89.

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In a condolence message, Naidu said Rao was known to him personally for many decades and his death was a personal loss to him.

He described Rao, a recipient of Padma Shri in the year 2011, as a multi-faceted person who held various positions, including Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Commissionerate of Higher Education and Vice-Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Planning Board.

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"His invaluable contribution to the field of education and Gandhian thought is a source of inspiration to many," the vice president said.

"His death is a personal loss to me. I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti," he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)