C. R. Krishnaswamy Rao

C.R. Krishnaswamy Rao Sahib
Born	(1927-02-02)February 2, 1927 Andhra Pradesh
Died	Chennai
Education	IAS, ICS
Awards	Padma Vibhushan (2006), Great Maratha Award (2009)
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C.R. Krishnaswamy Rao (2 February 1927 – 12 February 2013) was a distinguished administrator and civil servant. He also served as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Charan Singh and then becoming the Cabinet Secretary (1981-1985) when Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India. He was awarded the second highest civilian honor of India, Padma Vibhushan in 2006, besides the Great Maratha Award in 2009. His grandfather was R. Ramachandra Rao, Collector of Nellore, who helped Srinivasa Ramanujan during latter's formative years.

Accolades

He was also a great visionary. Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam credits him of 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.

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.

— Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam