Founder of GITAM private university M.V.V.S. Murthi was killed in a road accident in the USA, on Tuesday evening.
Murthi (76) was reportedly travelling from California to Anchorage in Alaska to visit a wildlife sanctuary, when the accident took place some place south of Cantwell. Three others travelling with him are also reported to have died in the accident.
As per initial reports, Murthi was travelling in a van along with four others,when it collided with another vehicle while trying to overtake at a no pass zone.
Former TDP MP and founder of Gitam M.V.V.S. Murthy (centre) who was killed in road accident in Alaska, USA.
Managing Trustee of Veluvolu Trust V. Basavapunnaiah, Veeramachineni Siva Prasad and VBR Chowdary are among the deceased.
Social entrepreneur Kadiyala Venkata Ratnam, who was also in the van at the time of accident is said to be in a critical condition.
Murthi is a sitting member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and a former parliamentarian. A member of the Telugu Desam Party, Murthi served as party’s State vice president.
Dr. Mathukumilli Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Murthi, popularly known as Goldspot Murthi was born in an agricultural family in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on July 3, 1938. He earned his doctorate in Economics from Andhra University.
He was elected as Member of Parliament for the 10th and 13 Lok Sabha with TDP ticket.
He was a successful businessman and his business interests included ferro alloys, soft drinks, power, hospitality and education, which he established in last five decades.
He founded the Gandhi Institiute of Technology and Management (GITAM) in 1980, which later became a deemed university in 2007 with campuses in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
He is survived by his two sons Ramarao and Laxman Rao and a daughter.
