Pravinchandra V Gandhi, 87, a leading figure in the print media industry, former Chairman of Press Trust of India, Chairman emeritus of the Saurashtra Trust that publishes the Janmabhoomi group of newspapers and magazine passed away here today after prolonged illness.

Gandhi, who was 87, was He had been ailing for over a couple of years.

The Saurashtra Trust publishes Gujarati daily Janmabhoomi, Phulchhab, Kutchmitra and Janmabhoomi Pravasi weekly in Gujarat and Vyapaar, business daily in Gujarati and Hindi.

Pravinbhai was a member of the Board of PTI for several years and was its Chairman during 1994-95.

In a tribute, PTI Chairman Vijay Kumar Chopra, said Gandhi was a leading light of the media industry. “His contribution to the growth of PTI was significant,” he said.

Gandhi is survived by wife and two sons. The last rites were performed at the Chandanwari crematorium here.