C. R. Krishnaswamy Rao | |
|---|---|
 President Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting thePadma Vibhushan to Krishnaswamy Rao in 2006 | |
| 15thCabinet Secretary of India | |
| In office 30 April 1981 – 8 February 1985 | |
| Prime Minister | Indira Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi |
| Preceded by | S S Grewal |
| Succeeded by | P. K. Kaul |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Colathur Rama Krishnaswamy Rao Sahib (1927-02-02)2 February 1927 |
| Died | 12 February 2013(2013-02-12) (aged 86)[2] Madras,Tamil Nadu, India |
| Spouse | Lalitha |
| Alma mater | Presidency College, Chennai |
| Awards | Padma Vibhushan (2006), Great Maratha Award (2009) |
| Signature |  |
Colathur Rama Krishnaswamy Rao Sahib (2 February 1927 – 12 February 2013)[2] was an Indiancivil servant who served as15th Cabinet Secretary of India from 1981-1985. He also served as the Secretary to Prime MinisterCharan Singh.[3] whenIndira Gandhi became the Prime Minister ofIndia. He was awarded the second highest civilian honor of India,Padma Vibhushan in 2006, besides theGreat Maratha Award in 2009.[4] His maternal grandfather wasR. Ramachandra Rao, Collector of Nellore, who helpedSrinivasa Ramanujan during the latter's formative years.
Krishnaswamy Rao Sahib was born in a prominentDeshastha Madhva Brahmin family on 2 February 1927 inMadras,British India.[5] The family is connected toArni Jagir family, Rao Sahib belongs to the junior branch of the Colathur family. Rao Sahib became a family title when theSultanate of Bijapur conferred it on his ancestor Vedaji Bhaskar Rao Pant. His maternal grandfather wasR. Ramachandra Rao, Collector of Nellore, who helpedSrinivasa Ramanujan during the latter's formative years.[6] Rao Sahib attendedP.S. Higher Secondary School before receivingBachelor of Science in physics from thePresidency College, Chennai.[7] Rao Sahib joinedIndian Administrative Service on 1 February 1950.[8]
He was also a greatvisionary.Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam credits him with propelling the idea of Integrated Guided Missile Programme of India during the 1980s, when there was tremendous criticism from the Armed forces that, not a single missile had been successfully developed so far.[9][10]
That was the time, Shri Krishnaswamy Rao Sahib made a remark which is still ringing in my mind. He said "Hon'ble Minister sir, I heard all the discussion. But I would like to convey one thing. The time has come, we have to take a decision, exploring new path with courage. We should not be mixed-up with the past. Presently, we are seeing a committed passionate leadership for the missile programme. I consider that all the missiles should be developed, simultaneously in an integrated way." ..... The total orders to the production agency for Prithvi, Agni, Akash missiles and the BrahMos first of its kind supersonic cruise missile are valued over 93 lakh crore. Such is the power of single vision of our political and bureaucratic leadership.
C.R. KRISHNASWAMY RAO SAHIB was born in Chennai in 1927, joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1950 and became a member of the Andhra Pradesh cadre.
{{cite news}}:|author= has generic name (help)Rao Sahib; Belongs to the Desastha Madhwa Community.
