It has been a practice among the relatives, friends and fans of the legendary NT Rama Rao to pay tributes to NTR at the NTR Ghat every year on his birthday. This time, however, Nandamuri Ramakrishna has urged everyone to desist from breaking the covid protocol.

"We all take his blessings every year at his Ghat. But this year is different because of the intensity of the pandemic. Keeping the well-being of his fans in view, it's hereby urged of all not to visit the Ghat. I request one and all to observe covid restrictions and stay safe and strong," the son of late NTR said.

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"I am never tired of talking about my father. To be precise, he epitomized the self-respect of the Telugus and the prestige of us all. He was a great 'Nata Sarwabhowma'. With persistence, it's possible to become a 'rishi'. He played the roles of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna in a realistic way. He developed the Telugu land without discrimination on the basis of caste, religion and region," he added.

He also made a reference to some of the policy initiatives of the first and second TDP governments under the aegis of NTR. Ramakrishna ended his message with slogans: Johar NTR, Jai Telugu Thalli, Johar Harikrishna.   

Meanwhile, Ramakrishna's brother and actor-politician Balakrishna released a special video of him singing Rama Dandakam as a tribute to NTR's mythological roles.