New York (PTI): Gopal Raju, who founded the first successful ethnic newspaper 'India Abroad in the United States' died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 80.

Raju, who was suffering from jaundice, was admitted to hospital about a week ago. He died from the complication of the disease.

India Abroad popularity increased during emergency in India when it provided the outlet for the opposition leaders to vent their feelings, something which was eagerly lapped up by the dispora. After that the paper never looked back and Raju remained at the helm until he sold it to Rediff.com which now runs it.

Besides, the India Abroad, Raju also founded the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), the Indian American Foundation (IAF) and the Indian American Center for Political Action. After selling India Abroad, he became publisher of News-India Times, Desi Talk and Gujarat Times.