| KVK
Raju |
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Modesty precluded him from considering himself a legend, but surely that is not going
to prevent one from calling him so. Mr Kanumuri Venkata Krishna Raju, endearingly referred
to as KVK by friends and admirers, has come to symbolise the spirit of humane
entrepreneurship in Indian Industry. Among the new generation of Technocrat entrepreneurs, KVK occupied a unique position in
many respects - unique in background, unique in entrepreneurial approach and unique in
personal qualities. He was a perfect combination of a self-made professional
manager-cum-entrepreneur with an extraordinary human touch.
Mr K V K Raju was born on November 28, 1928 in a humble agricultural family. He was
neither heir to any industrial empire nor a protege of an industrial baron. Mr Raju was a
self-made man. The uncompromising integrity and honesty of his father and the tender geniality of his
mother made an indelible impression on the young KVK's character. The tutelage under Swami
Nishreyasananda at Tanuku in West Godavari District, helped to mould his personality. Mr
Duncan Grindley, a high school teacher in Ramakrishna Mission played an important role in
infusing confidence in Mr Raju.
After graduating from Banaras Hindu University and the Madras Institute of Technology,
Mr Raju pursued his higher education at Michigan State University and the University of
Minnesota of USA in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. The urge to serve his country,
inculcated in his youth by India's freedom movement in which several of his family members
had participated, made him to return to India, after a short stint in American Industry.
In India, Mr Raju had brief stints at Caltex Oil Refinery, Orient General Industries
and Associated Electrical Industries. Finally, he joined a multinational company, Union
Carbide of India, in which he served for 15 years. It was while working with Union Carbide
that his deep-rooted urge to contribute to the industrial development of the country
impelled him to plunge into entrepreneurship.
Mr Raju launched the Nagarjuna Group with Nagarjuna Steel Company in 1976. The Group
has now become a multi-million corporate conglomerate with diversified business interests
in agri-businesses like fertilizers, pesticides, micro irrigation systems and agri exports
and steel, finance and energy sectors.
The commissioning of the Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (NFCL) in Kakinada
is a monumental testimony to his indefatigable spirit. Mr Raju was a firm believer in the principle of "Service to Society through
Industry". Under his stewardship, the Nagarjuna Group has practicsed the concept of
trusteeship and excellence in all its spheres. The natural ecological systems developed
around the manufacturing facilities at Kakinada and Srikakulam stand testimony to his
great concern for Nature and his vision of making 'Industry in Harmony with Nature'.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to industry and society, Mr Raju was
conferred 'Doctor of Science' by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU). He
was also the recipient of many other awards like the Manager of the Year,Professor Y
Nayudamma Memorial Gold Medal, Udyog Ratna Award and Dr K L Rao Award for Excellence.
Even after his demise on Novermber 16, 1993, the Nagarjuna Group continues with its
commitment to the vision and values set by Mr K V K Raju.
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