P. V. Narasimha Rao was a distinguished Indian statesman, scholar, and freedom fighter who served as the 9th Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996. He is widely regarded as the architect of modern economic reforms that transformed India’s economy.
Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao was born on 28 June 1921 in Karimnagar district (present-day Telangana). He was highly educated and fluent in several languages, including Telugu, Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu, and Persian. Before independence, he actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle, especially in the Quit India Movement, and was imprisoned by the British.
Rao assumed office at a time when India was facing a severe economic crisis. Under his leadership, and with Dr. Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister, India launched the economic liberalization of 1991. These reforms reduced government controls, opened the economy to global markets, and laid the foundation for rapid economic growth.
Apart from economic reforms, P. V. Narasimha Rao made significant contributions to foreign policy, national security, and administrative reforms. He followed a pragmatic and quiet leadership style, preferring consensus and long-term vision over populism.
He passed away on 23 December 2004. Today, P. V. Narasimha Rao is remembered as a visionary reformer and statesman whose bold decisions reshaped India’s economic future and strengthened its position in the global arena.
