Dr. K. Keshava Rao

Dr. K. Keshava Rao, born on June 4th, 1939, in Mahbubabad, is a distinguished Indian politician and academician with a rich legacy of service and leadership.

Beginning his political journey in 1972, Dr. Rao's career has been marked by significant contributions across various domains. He served as the Chairperson of the Minimum Wages Board for the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Subsequently, he held pivotal positions in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, including Deputy Chairperson from 1979 to 1980 and Member from 1979 to 1985.

In the realm of governance, Dr. Rao served as a Cabinet Minister in multiple Andhra Pradesh governments from 1980 to 1983, overseeing crucial portfolios such as Industries, Education, Women Welfare, and Labor. His tenure as Chairperson of the Rajiv Gandhi Technology Mission from 1992 to 1994 further underscored his dedication to advancing technological and educational reforms.

In the political arena, Dr. Rao's ascent continued with his election to the Rajya Sabha in April 2006. Over the years, he has served on various parliamentary committees, including Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports; Press Council of India; Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Education; and many more, illustrating his multifaceted engagement with legislative affairs.

Dr. Rao's academic pursuits are equally noteworthy. He has authored two influential books, 'New Deal to Education' published in 1984 and 'Social Philosophy in Recent Indian Thought, published in 1987, reflecting his deep engagement with social and educational issues. Additionally, his editorial role at The Daily News, a prominent English daily in Hyderabad, showcased his commitment to journalistic integrity and public discourse.

In his extensive career, he held various positions including Vice-President of Osmania University Students Union and President of the Affiliated Colleges Students Union in Andhra Pradesh. He also served as a Teacher at Mahbub College, a Part-time Lecturer at Osmania University's Department of Journalism. Additionally, he acted as a Resource Speaker at prestigious institutions.

He held multiple roles within the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (A.P.C.C.), including Vice-President, General Secretary, and President (three times each).

He further contributed as a spokesperson for the All India Congress Committee (A.I.C.C.). Advocating strongly for the creation of Telangana, he parted ways with the Congress after five decades of service, joining the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (T.R.S.) where he assumed roles as General Secretary and presently serves as the Leader of the T.R.S. Parliamentary Party.

Beyond politics and academia, Dr. Rao's interests extend to cricket and literature. He also made significant contributions to the Telugu film industry as the producer and screenplay writer of the National Award-winning feature film 'Nimajjanam' in 1979.

Married to K. Vasanta Kumari, Dr. K. Keshava Rao is a proud parent of four children.