Gunupati Venkata Krishna Reddy

Gunupati Venkata Krishna Reddy, also referred to as GVK Reddy, is the Founder Chairman and Managing Director of GVK,^[1][2][3] a Hyderabad-based infrastructure conglomerate that is into energy, resources, airports, transportation, hospitality and life sciences. His company set up India’s first independent power plant in Andhra Pradesh, in 1997.^[4]

Early life and career

He was born on 22 March 1937 in Kothur village of Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. He completed his basic schooling from Kothur, early college from Nellore and graduated from Osmania University in Hyderabad. GVK Reddy first got his start in business when his father G. Subbarami Reddy allowed the GVK Reddy to take control of the family's small construction firm. Reddy's first started out as a contractor but then branched into manufacturing by setting up Novopan Industries in Biscoe, North Carolina, as the license regime in India had left few opportunities. However, thanks to Mari Chenna Reddy, GVK Reddy later returned to India after receiving support from the Mari Chenna Reddy.^[5] He later pursued Owner/President Management (OPM) Program from Harvard Business School, USA.^[6]

He is also a sports enthusiast and has encouraged young sporting talent. He has set up a tennis academy ^[7] in Hyderabad to groom youngsters with potential.

Business career

1960s

Reddy entered into the business starting with the construction of Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the world’s largest masonry stone dam at the time of its construction, was built across the river Krishna in Nagarjuna Sagar, Nalgonda District of Telangana.^[8] The dam was constructed for optimum utilization of water from river Krishna. The construction began in 1956 and was completed by 1969. Then, Reddy moved to Khammam to undertake two major construction projects – Muneru aqueduct and 100 ft. deep Venkatapaleyam deep cut canal.^[9] Then he moved upstream to Srisailam Dam project which involved the excavation of foundation for a powerhouse on the right bank.

1970s

Reddy acquired majority shareholding in Hotel Banjara, a four star hotel and became the managing director and completed the project by 1976-77. Collaboration with Holiday Inn marked his entry into the hospitality business. He also incorporated Novopan India Limited, being the first company in India to bring the Pre-laminated Particle Board Technology to manufacture Plain and Melamine Faced Particle Boards.^[10]

Awards and recognition

• Dr. GVK Reddy, has been recognised as the "Infrastructure Person of the Year 2014", at the Construction Week India Awards

^[11]

• Dr. GVK Reddy has been bestowed with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at India Aviation 2014 for his contribution to Aviation Sector in the country.^[12]
• Infrastructure Person of the Year award at Construction Week India awards.^[13]
• Awarded Padma Bhushan - the third highest civilian award of India in 2011.^[14]
• "Construction World - Man of the year 2011" award by Construction World.^[15]
• Best First Generation Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 award under the India Business Leaders Awards instituted by CNBC-TV 18.^[16]
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2009 from Economic Times.^[17]
• Excellence Award at the International Telugu Cultural Conference held at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Telugu Association of Malaysia.^[18]
• Felicitated by The Telugu Literary and Cultural Association, US.^[18]
• Conferred Life Membership of the World Telugu Federation, Chennai.^[18]

References