Dr. A V. Ramarao hails from a family that has strong roots in the profession of Teaching. Born on 26th January, 1939 in Visakhapatnam district (AP), he belongs to Avadhanula family and his ancestors were primarily involved in scholarly professions.
His father Late Shri. Avadhanula Balankeshwar Rao was a well known Physics teacher associated with Andhra University.He passed his B.SC ( Honours) in 1935 with specialisation in Physics. He was a University topper from Andhra University.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_University
Shri A Balankeshwar Rao ( AB Rao) had a precious opportunity to work with Dr.Suri Bhagwantam during his student days at Waltair College (Andhra University) .
Dr.Suri Bhagwantam provided some rare opportunities to AB Rao towards crucial research projects under his guidance. During his final year of M.Sc , AB.Rao had also published a technical paper on the subject of spectroscopy under the guidance Dr.Bhagwantam.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suri_Bhagavantam).
Unfortunately, due to the twist of fate, Shri AB.Rao had to leave his M.Sc studies in the final year due compelling family conditions,untimely demise of his young father and also the economic crisis emerging from the World War II in early 1940s. That’s how, a promising career to work as a physicist under the guidance of Dr.Suri Bhagwantam was cut short. For sometime, he joined as a tutor to the Royal family from Salur, taught the Prince of the Royal Family . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salur
Later, he moved to join Rajkumar College (Raipur) as a lecturer in Physics . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajkumar_College,_Raipur . Rajkumar College was a well known institution and had patronage of the royal families of MP . Subsequently, after some years, got a job as a Field Officer in Food Corporation of India. That was the time he had travelled to various parts of India like Jaipur, Nagpur and other cities on official deputation. He was very popular for his ethical conduct. He later joined as the Principal of a higher secondary school in Baghbara (Near Raipur).
During 1950s , Late A.Balankeshwar Rao had a stint as an entrepreneur, in partnership with a well known local merchant ( Owner of a chain of Rice mills) , who admired AB Rao for his ethical conduct. As per the local sources, they started a printing press which was later managed by his younger brother ; who eventually established a successful retail business in Mahasamund (In MP in 1950s) .
Socialist by his instincts , he was more inclined towards the field of academics and studied philosophical works of mystics like Shri.Ramakrishna Paramahansa.Also he liked the philosophical works of Kabir Das. In his brief stint as an entrepreneur, he was more like a social entrepreneur, giving more importance to his people rather than just profits.
AB Rao had strong ideals ( which he would refuse to compromise) , he had to face many tough situations in his life. He also had to unfortunately pay price for being authentic and kind towards people .
Dr.Ramarao’s mother Late Smt. Parvati Devi was a scholar who wrote Ramayana in Telugu. She was also a great admirer of Saint Kabir Das and used to sing Kabir bhajans.
This background made a profound impact on the personality of Ramarao.Due to such situations Ramarao emerged as a responsible, dutiful, committed and a compassionate human being .
His marriage with Aravinda helped him further to strengthen his already rich human values.
His wife, Late Smt. Aravinda Ramarao ( http://www.aravindaramarao.com) was a source of his strength to meet various challenges during different stages in his life. She also came from a highly scholarly teaching family and that too served as a big support to the studious pursuits of Dr. A V. Ramarao.
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Aravinda’s father, Late Dr. Anna Rao served as Professor and Head of Chemistry department in various Engineering and Medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh. He was a highly acclaimed professor. Dr. Anna Rao authored several books in Chemistry.
Aravinda’s grandfather, Late Chinna Sitaram Sastry (Born in the year 1878), a well known scholar, taught at Andhra University as a Telugu and Sanskrit Professor. He was awarded Kala Prapoorna (Honorary Doctorate) by Andhra University for his contributions to Telugu literature, Telugu Grammar and Sanskrit. Apart from being a scholar, he also was an agriculturalist and a highly acclaimed orator and thinker.
Late Shri. Vajjhala Chinna Sitarama Sastri also authored many books on Telugu literature and Telugu Grammar. He is considered by many Telugu scholars to be a pioneer in the field of Telugu Grammar. Some of the books that Shri. Vajjhala Chinna Sitarama Sastri had authored are mentioned here – http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n85072224/.
One of his works had invited upon him, a lot of attention, heated debates, controversies and finally recognition was his work on Karna Charitra where he vehemently appreciated Karna (from Mahabharata) against the wishes of his contemporary scholars.
With all these qualities in the DNA of the family, Mrs. Aravinda Ramarao too carried the ability to be very discerning in understanding various aspects of human emotions throughout her life. Dr. A V Ramarao lost his father at a young age and consequently, all responsibilities of the family came upon Ramarao and his newly-wed wife. Together, they took the challenge with all grace and fulfilled them, which is still appreciated in the family and friend circles. She was a powerful sounding board to her husband and that was indeed valuable to shape the life of Prof. Ramarao. Also , it must be mentioned that Aravinda had a sharp mind. She had the ability to grasp things very quickly and intuitively. She also had promising career opportunities in the banking sector during the initial years of marriage, but she had to unfortunately turn them down due to priorities and responsibilities that came upon her.
It must be mentioned here that Aravinda’s elder brother Late Shri VCS Sastri was a great admirer of education, self-development and scholarly interests. He had consciously encouraged and deeply appreciated Dr.A.V.Ramarao for his contribution to the field of academics. Late Shri VCS Sastri was a graduate from Indian Institute of Technology ( IIT -Kharagpur). Sastri also served in many reputed companies like BHPV and Larsen and Toubro. His progressiveness , exposure to education and an enabling mindset had a profound impact in shaping Aravinda as a progressive human being .
Aravinda was very socially active and used to help the needy with various noble initiatives. She was also a founder of an initiative in Nagpur that brought women together to work on various socio-cultural initiatives. She was a Reiki Grandmaster and practised Yoga. She passed away very peacefully at her son’s house in Bangalore on 20th June, 2008 while preparing to go to a temple. Her exit from the mortal life was as graceful as her compassionate soul. Dr. Ramarao, shocked with this episode took this inevitable truth with grace and equanimity.
Contribution of Aravinda’s contributions in making Dr. A V. Ramarao, a successful person can’t be described easily in words. Those who have seen it closely can describe it better.
Dr. A V Ramarao 