Visakhapatnam: Memorial to immortalise Murthi

Vishakapatnam: The body of GITAM University founder president and TD senior leader M.V.V.S. Murthi was cremated at a special site given by the government at Rushikonda here on Sunday, close to GITAM University.

A memorial is to be built to the site for Murthi on the 1,360-sq ft site that was finalised by the district administration

Murthi, 80. and three others died in a road accident in the US when their van collided with a truck in Alaska on Monday afternoon.

His mortal remains were flown back on Sunday morning. Murthi’s body was taken to his residence at Waltair Uplands from the airport and kept at his residence before being taken to the TD office and then to the Rushikonda site.

By noon, a large number of people had gathered to pay tributes at the party office and some activists were seen sobbing quietly. 

The mourners were led by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, ministers and MLAs. Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu laid a wreath at Murthi’s mortal remains.

Murthi’s body, wrapped in the national flag and placed in a glass casket, was brought to Rushikonda where it was cremated with state honours. Murthi’s elder son T. Rama Rao performed the final rituals. TD leaders said that the site would be developed as a memorial for Murthi.