PVRK Prasad's commendable work will have lasting impact:Former media advisor Sanjaya Baru

Sanjaya Baru, the media advisor to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Monday expressed grief over the demise of P.V.R.K. Prasad---media advisor to former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao---and said that the latter's commendable work in Andhra Pradesh and across India will have a lasting impact.

"He did an excellent work across India. In Andhra Pradesh and most parts of India, he is known as the man who modernised the Tirupati Temple. He was responsible for the entire infrastructure at Tirumala. His role as the Executive Officer of the Temple will have a lasting impact," Baru told ANI.

Baru said that is was due to Prasad's effort the Tirumala Tirupati Temple got so popularised, where millions of pilgrims visit every year.

"Serving as the media advisor to Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, Prasad played an important role in trying to solve the Ayodhya-Babri Masjid issue, but unfortunately it couldn't be possible," he added.

Prasad, passed away in the national capital early Monday morning.

Prasad, a retired IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, served as the information advisor between 1991 and 1996.

The 77-year old held several important positions in the state before moving to the central government.

Post-retirement, Prasad authored several popular books, including 'Asalemi Jarigindante', 'Naham Kartha', 'Tirumala Leelamrutham' and 'Tirumala Charitamrutam'.

A piece written by him on his tenure as media advisor to then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao, regarding the developments leading to controversial Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, created a sensation when it was published in 2010.

Prasad also served as the Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the country's richest temple and was praised for his role as the chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Trust.