Padmasri awarded to Professor K. Ramakrishna Rao, Chairman ICPR
Professor Koneru Ramakrishna Rao, Chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research, is an academic scholar, educationist and administrator of international repute. He is a leading Indian thinker, who has earned worldwide recognition and reputation for his research in the fields of philosophy and psychology Professor Rao's continuing efforts spanning over one half of a century are directed at building intellectual and cultural bridges between East and West, helping to place the discipline of Indian psychology on the international academic map, providing scientific and systematic interpretations of classical wisdom in contemporary context, and carrying out seminal researches for enhancing human potentials.
Born on October 4, 1932, Professor Rao studied at Andhra University and the University of Chicago and obtained Ph.D. and D.Litt. degrees in philosophy and psychology respectively. He served as Professor of Psychology and Vice‐Chancellor at Andhra University. He worked at Duke University and served as the Executive Director of the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man in USA. Author of 15 books and over 200 research papers, Professor Rao's writings were translated into Japanese German, Spanish and Italian languages. He also served as the Advisor to Government on Higher Education and Chairman of the A.P. State Council of Higher Education।
Professor Ramaknshna Rao is one of the leading Gandhian scholars. His book "Gandhi and Pragmatism" published during Gandhi centenary year established Prof. Rao as a Gandhian scholar of national eminence. His most recent book "Gandhi and Applied Spirituality" is an outstanding contemporary interpretation of Gandhian thought and action. It throws light on its amazing relevance of Mahatma's thought and action to current concerns of humankind, especially identity‐violence and terror. Professor Rao left an indelible imprint as a crusader for reforming education for all‐round development of the person, following Gandhian ideas to link classrooms with community activity, and to make education reach the widest possible sections of the society while serving as Vice‐Chancellor of Andhra University, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Commissionerate of Higher Education, Advisor to A.P. Government on Education and Chair of a number of state and national level committees. He was elected three times as the President of Para Psychological Association, an international society of scientists based in USA, and twice as President of Indian Academy of Applied Psychology.
Professor Rao has been conferred honorary doctoral degrees by several well‐known universities. including his alma mater Andhra University.
