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Veteran PTI journalist H Seetharama Rao died in London aged 85. His five-decade career spanned landmark political coverage and overseas assignments.
London,Oct 27, 2026 20:46 IST
Veteran journalist H Seetharama Rao, whose career with the Press Trust of India spanned nearly five decades, died in London on Tuesday after a brief illness, the news agency reported. He was 85.
Rao held key editorial positions during his career and served as PTI's correspondent in the UK. He is survived by his wife Geeta, daughter Aparna, son Rajesh and three grandchildren.
According to his family, Rao was admitted to West Middlesex Hospital near his home in west London on September 22 after experiencing breathing difficulties. He died early on Tuesday following multi-organ failure, PTI reported.
Originally from Mangalore, Rao began his career with PTI as a reporter in Bangalore in the late 1960s. He later moved to Delhi as a Special Correspondent and covered several assignments, including the Prime Minister's Office during the tenures of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Rao also undertook several overseas assignments, accompanying Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and former President Zail Singh on official visits.
He served as Regional Manager for eastern India, based in Kolkata, before being posted as PTI's staff correspondent in London in 2000.
Condoling his death, Dr MN Nandakumara, Executive Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in the UK, said: "He was truly a special person. We came from the same region in Karnataka and shared many heartening moments together over the years."
"Rao was always supportive of the Bhavan and its work in spreading Indian culture overseas. It is a sad day, and my prayers are with his family," he added.
In March 2017, Rao received a Lifetime Achievement Award from a media group for his "illustrious career" spanning nearly five decades. The award was presented at a ceremony in the House of Commons complex in London.
The Political and Public Life Awards are presented annually by Asian Business Publications Limited, the publisher of the Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar newspapers. Previous recipients have included former British prime ministers Theresa May and David Cameron.
The award citation said: "H. S. Rao has been a journalist with the Press Trust of India, the premier news agency of India, for nearly five decades. He has travelled the world with Presidents and Prime Ministers. He is regarded as the doyen of Indian journalists in Britain, having given a lifetime of service to journalism and the truth."
Rao received the award from then House of Commons Deputy Speaker Eleanor Lang and C.B. Patel, publisher and editor of the ABPL Group.
His daughter Aparna said her father had fought bravely over the last few days and that the family had hoped he would recover. Rao's career included reporting from Bangalore and Delhi, overseas assignments with Indian leaders, an administrative role in Kolkata and a posting as PTI's correspondent in London.
With PTI Inputs
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