Veteran scribe and IFWJ founder member dead

Veteran Journalist and founder member of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists S V Jayasheela Rao died at a private hospital here today.
Rao, who was hospitalised for breathing problem for the last five days, passed away at Maiya Hospital here, his family sources said.
His last rites will be performed in the city tomorrow with police honours, state government in a statement said.
Rao, aged 88, was also a freedom fighter, and was imprisoned in Mysore sub-jail in September 1947 during 'Mysore Chalo Satyagraha', an agitation to force the then Maharaja of Mysore to accede to the Indian Union.

Taking up Journalism in 1947 through "Deshabandhu", a Kannada daily, Rao then joined "Prajavani", where he served as Reporter and Chief Reporter for 26 years.
He has also served "Samyukta Karnataka" as Joint Editor, and as Editor of "Munjaane".

Rao was a founder member of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists, and was the Media Advisor to the Chief Minister H D Deve Gowda in 1994.
He also functioned as Private Secretary to Gowda from September 1997, including during his prime ministership, to April 2003 at New Delhi.
Rao was conferred the title 'Vaarta Visharada' and he received the Karnataka Press Academy Award in 1987 and Rajyotsava Award in 1990.

Recalling his close association with Rao, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaih expressed condolence over his death.