Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao
Portrait of Mallikarjuna Rao
Born (1950-07-14) 14 July 1950
Rajam, Andhra Pradesh, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationChairman of GMR Group
WebsiteG.M. Rao

Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao (born 14 July 1950) is a mechanical engineer, billionaire industrialist, the founder chairman of GMR Group,[1] a global infrastructure developer and operator based in India.[2][3] Started in 1978, GMR Group is now present in 7 countries, active in energy, highways, large urban development and airports sectors, known for building and operating world class national assets.[4]

Early life

Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao was born on 14 July 1950, in Rajam, Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, India. He was born in an upper-middle-class family whose main business interests involved commodities trading and a small scale jewelry business started by his father in Rajam. After graduating from Andhra University, Rao joined a paper mill as a shift engineer and then joined the Public Works Department of Andhra Pradesh Government as a junior engineer.[5]

He soon entered the trading of commodities, as his mother had insisted. After developing good relations with suppliers and customers in the business of commodities trading, he acquired a failing jute mill at a bargain, this venture proved to be lucrative and allowed GM Rao to use this leverage from local banks to acquire other assets. Eventually GM Rao divested his stake in a multitude of industries and started a bank named Vysya Bank in collaboration with ING.[6]

Rao eventually diluted his stake in ING Vysya by selling his stake in whole for 340 crores. The cash from the bank stake sale allowed his entry into the power business allowed Rao to build what would become India leading infrastructure asset developer, as GMR's most relevant competitor, GVK, is 6 times smaller by market capitalization, making GMR Group the leader in India as an airport developer by revenues, asset size, and market capitalization.

In 2014, he was appointed as the chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation. The government plans to invest ₹ 700 crore in the skill development initiative, which will train approximately two crore people in 10 years.[7]

Awards

GM Rao received the Economic Times Entrepreneur of the year Award in 2007,.[8]

Charity

Its CSR arm, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, currently serves the underserved sections of society in 22 locations. In 2012, he donated ₹1,540 crores for charitable purposes. He mentioned in an interview that Warren Buffett is an inspiration for him to pledge his money in support of 'Giving back to society'.[9][10]

GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF), is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the GMR Group. Its objectives are to develop social infrastructure and enhance the quality of life of communities around the locations that has the Group's presence. This non-profit (Section 25) company has its own staff and is Governed by Group Chairman, GMR Group.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Srikar Muthyala (29 September 2015). "The List of Great Entrepreneurs of India in 2015". MyBTechLife. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "GMR holding board". GMR Group. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  3. ↑ Bhupathi Reddy1 (30 August 2015). "Top 10 Entrepreneurs of India". EntrepreneurSolutions.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "RBI". GMR Group. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "Interview with GM Rao of the GMR Group". Moneylife NEWS & VIEWS. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  6. ↑ Kumar, V Rishi. "The GM Rao way to building a business for eternity". The Hindu Businessline.
  7. ↑ "GMR Group head GM Rao appointed Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation". Economic Times. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  8. ↑ "Entrepreneur of the Year: Grandhi Mallikarjun Rao". Economic Times. 4 October 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "GMR donates Rs 1,540cr to charity. Deccan Chronicle". www.deccanchronicle.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "GMR Group pledges Rs 1,540 cr for charity". businesstoday.intoday.in. 23 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "GMR Varalakshmi Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility wing of the GMR Group". Gmrgroup. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
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