Early Life
Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao was born on July 14, 1950, in Rajam, Andhra Pradesh, India. He comes from an upper-middle-class family. Rao graduated from Andhra University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He initially worked as a shift engineer in a paper mill and as a junior engineer in the Andhra Pradesh Public Works Department.
Rise to Success
G. M. Rao's entrepreneurial journey began with commodities trading. He later acquired a failing jute mill and successfully turned it around. He divested his stakes in various industries and co-founded Vysya Bank. The success allowed him to enter the power business and establish GMR Group. The GMR Group, established in 1978, has become a leading infrastructure developer in India with a global presence. The group has a significant presence in energy, highways, airports, and urban infrastructure.
Key Business Strategies
G. M. Rao has been known for his strategic approach to business, entering and exiting various ventures before focusing on infrastructure. His strategies include strong governance, a focus on people, and leveraging technology. He has built world-class assets in several countries. His focus on long-term projects aimed at building national assets has been a key factor in his success.
Philanthropy
G. M. Rao established the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, the CSR arm of the GMR Group. In 2012, he pledged an irrevocable commitment of ₹1,540 crores (approximately $340 million USD) to the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation. This commitment was for charitable activities to serve the needs of the underserved sections of society. This endowment was equivalent to his entire personal share of the business. The foundation focuses on education, healthcare, livelihood, and community development.
