Remembering 'Father of Indian Economic Reforms' PV Narasimha Rao

Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao, often referred to as the 'Father of Indian Economic Reforms' was an Indian lawyer and politician who served as the ninth Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996. Born in 1921 in Laknepalli village of Narsampet Mandal in erstwhile Warangal district of Telangana state, Rao played an active role in the Indian independence movement and was the member of Indian National Congress.

Remembering the former Prime Minister of India on his death anniversary, we recall the important aspects of the lawyer, politician and reformist, PV Narasimha Rao.

• Narasimha Rao mastered several languages including Telugu, Marati, Oriya, Sanskrit, French, English, Urdu, German, Spanish, Hindi and Arabic.

• Former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam described Narasimha Rao as a 'Patriotic statesman who believed that the nation is bigger than the political system'.
• During his term, the destruction of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh was carried out which ensued to one of the most worst Hindu-Muslim riots in the country.
• He retired from politics in 1991 and made a comeback after the assassination of Congress President Rajiv Gandhi.
• Narasimha Rao's win in parliament elections was recorded in Guinness Book of World Records. He won from Nandyal with a margin of record 5 lakh votes.
• He is also known as 'Architect of recent India' and 'Father of Indian Economics Reforms' after he reduced many interest rates and ended public monopolies which let Foreign Direct Investment prevail in India.
• Even after serving as the Prime Minister of India for five years, he did not make enough money and suffered financial difficulties for paying daughter's medical education.
• He died on December 23, 2020, at All India Institute of Medical Sciences with coronary failure. Rao's body was not allowed inside the AICC building in Delhi nor given a site for his cremation within the capital.
• A memorial was built for PV Narasimha Rao located adjacent to Sanjeevaiah Park, developed in 2005 on 2.9 acres of land known as PV Gyan Bhoomi

Despite serving the country and known for his economic reforms, PV Narasimha Rao did not get any recognition. During the monsoon assembly session, the Telangana government put forward a resolution that proposed Bharat Ratna for PV Narasimha Rao. The government also flagged off PV Narasimha Rao's centenary celebrations on his birth anniversary.