Be a Hero. Its in your Blood!
Shri. P.V. Narasimha Rao
(28th June, 1921 - 23rd December, 2004)
Born on June 28, 1921, into a Telugu Brahmin family in Andhra Pradesh, P.V. Narasimha Rao was a gifted polyglot fluent in 17 languages. He began his political journey with the Indian National Congress and was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1971. Over the years, he held several key portfolios, including External Affairs, Home Affairs, and Defence, before becoming the Prime Minister of India in 1991.
In March 2024, Narasimha Rao was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the nation.
The singular goal of "service to all" was the driving force of Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao's life, a vision he instilled in his family. “I clearly remember the day I told my grandfather I had become a doctor—he was ecstatic,” recalls Dr. N.V. Sudha Kiran, CEO of the Shri P.V.N.R. Memorial Charitable Trust. “But the first thing he said wasn’t ‘congratulations’ or ‘I’m proud of you.’ Instead, he said, ‘Service is what you should do—service without filters or discrimination, especially in rural areas. This is my dream, what I’ve dedicated my life to. Will you carry it forward? Will you continue to serve the people of this country?’ Without hesitation, I said, ‘Yes.’ No doubts, no questions.”
Dr. Kiran reflects, “By sharing his dream and posing those questions, my grandfather gave me direction and a path to follow. That is exactly what I’ve done. Establishing this Trust and the Blood Centres, and engaging in the work we do every day, brings me immense fulfillment. Each morning, I wake up with a sense of purpose and a commitment to make a difference. And each night, I go to bed with a smile, knowing I’ve done my part. I owe it all to my grandfather.”
As Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao spearheaded groundbreaking economic reforms that liberalized and opened up the Indian economy, propelling the nation into an era of rapid growth and establishing its position as a global economic power. He also implemented significant policy changes in education, infrastructure, and governance, while working to strengthen India’s relations with neighboring countries such as China and Pakistan.
Renowned for his intellectual acumen, pragmatic leadership, and unwavering commitment to national development, Narasimha Rao remained a respected and influential figure in Indian politics. After retiring, he returned to his passion for writing and scholarship, authoring several books on Indian philosophy, culture, and history. He passed away on December 23, 2004, leaving behind a legacy as one of India’s most visionary and transformative leaders.
