BHARAT RATNA FOR Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao (PV)

- - - “India’s Modern-Day Chanakya”

It is time that due credit is given to Shri Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao Garu who had reinvented the face of India through his vision and conviction… … …!!!

Clearly, I need not advocate and reiterate reasons as to how Shri “PV” is the most eligible person to receive “Bharat Ratna”. Pages and ages would not be sufficient to record the contribution of Shri PV to this great Nation. However, we intend to merely make a mortal attempt to just record a miniscule of his contribution just to provide a context of his achievement in the paragraphs detailed herein below. The miniscule in itself would convince anyone beyond doubt that we are under an obligation to rectify a historical blunder.

In fact, every Indian (living either in India or abroad) or every person (living in India) or any person who has anything to do with any commercial transaction with India as on today should realise that the seed for such transaction was laid by Shri PV and the benefits of such seed is making this great Country become more and more stronger as the days pass by.

We seriously believe that it would be nothing less than an insult upon the great man if we have to ask you to sign this petition. If you are a benefactor of today’s Indian growth, then you are under an obligation to sign this petition so that this Great Nation, India, rectifies a blunder and act swiftly towards honouring Shri PV with ‘Bharat Ratna’ which ought to have happened much prior in time.

Shri ‘PV’

Credits!!!!

“Father of Indian Economic Reforms”, “Father of Indian nuclear Program”, “Great Reformer”, “Freedom Fighter”, “Jaya-Vijaya”, “Scholar”, “ ‘Brihaspati’ (wiseman) of Andhra Pradesh”, “Strategist”, “politician”, “Advocate”, so on and so forth. . . . ..!!!!

“Bahumukha Pragnya Sali”

Snapshot!

Shri PV was a harbinger of change, whether it was governance, politics or his personal life. He would constantly come up with new ideas and also implement them. Though he came across as submissive and mild during usual times, he was independent and well in control while ruling. The manner he operated establishes the principle, “Stay Low Key. Not everyone needs to know everything about you.”

Birth and Academics:

PV (as usually referred to) was born in a small village near Karimnagar (now in Telangana, India). He was from an agrarian family and went on to pursue his education where he subsequently got deeply intertwined with both his books and the quest of the independence in the fight for freedom for India.

He completed bachelors at Osmania University in the city of Hyderabad and went on to study at Fergusson College in Pune and at the Universities of Bombay and Nagpur, eventually receiving a law degree from the latter institution.

Politics:

He rose to prominence as freedom fighter who fought the misrule of the Nizam during the formulative years of his political career. A reformer, educationist, scholar, conversant in 17 languages and known for his intellectual contribution.

P.V. Narasimha Rao started as a foot soldier who rose to become the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. He then held various portfolios in the central ministry that made him familiar with how Delhi operates before he assumed office as prime minister. Not by a majority vote, but by consensus. He was acutely aware of the manner in which Delhi operates and therefore, despite he was under constant check by the dynasty, he surrounded himself with people whose abilities he trusted. For example, He broke a convention by appointing a non-political economist and future prime minister, Manmohan Singh as his Finance Minister. He also appointed Subramanian Swamy, an Opposition party member as the Chairman of the Commission on Labour Standards and International Trade. This has been the only instance that an Opposition Party member was given a Cabinet rank post by the ruling party. He also sent Opposition leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to represent India in a UN meeting at Geneva.

His contribution for the then State of Andhra Pradesh (few among the many):

·       Narasimha Rao may not have marketed his initiatives well but what is not known to many is that he was the first to introduce the concept of social justice in politics in the united Andhra Pradesh. In the state elections where he was in charge, he ensured that 70 per cent of the tickets were given to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes. Many of those who won were also part of his state cabinet which was unheard of in those days as it was mostly the upper castes who called the shots.

·       In 1965, as a minister, he introduced the open jail system for the first time in the state. The prisoners were given a chance to spend more time in the midst of nature and reform themselves. As education minister, between 1968 and 1971, he started government residential schools in the state and helped poor children get quality food and accommodation along with education.

·       He became the Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1971 and implemented land reforms and land ceiling acts strictly.

According to those who knew his mind or interacted with him, he had many radical and innovative ideas for the state, but with his role cut short, the country gained more from him.

His Contribution For the Nation (few among many):

·       He steered India’s foreign policy after the collapse of the Soviet Union;

·       He created, for the first time, national level schemes in health, education, and employment guarantee;

·       He successfully decimated the Punjab separatist movement and neutralised Kashmir separatist movement. It is said that Rao was 'solely responsible' for the decision to hold elections in Punjab, no matter how narrow the electorate base would be.

·       He was — in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words — the “true father” of India’s nuclear programme. And,

·       Above all, he navigated political landmines to push through economic liberalisation. By the time he demitted office, India had healthy forex reserves and was growing at 7.5 per cent.

It would not be out of place if we mention that many of the awardees who were honoured with Bharata Ratna previously, were awarded for excelling or contributing in one field. Whereas, Shri PV had made his mark and defined the course of the nation in many ways and therefore, there lies no reason to deny the honour to the great man any more.

Embrace your responsibility and attend the call of duty by signing this petition!!!

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION AND FORWARD TILL IT REACHES TO EVERY INDIAN AND NRI's. 

Thank you all for your Support.

Mahesh Bigala

PVNR Centenary Celebrations Committee Member & Overseas Convener