NCC Mourns Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr A.V.S. Raju’s Passing

Hyderabad: NCC Limited mourns with profound sorrow the passing of its Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju, fondly known as Dr. A.V.S. Raju, a pioneering entrepreneur, visionary leader, poet and philanthropist whose extraordinary life and contributions have left an indelible mark on India's infrastructure landscape and society.

Born on 18 April 1937 in Antarvedipalem village in the erstwhile East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Raju's life was a remarkable journey of perseverance, enterprise and service. Beginning his business journey in 1956, he built his enterprises through hard work, determination and an unwavering commitment to his principles. In 1978, he founded Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) Limited, which became a public limited company in 1990.

Under his visionary leadership, NCC evolved into one of India's leading publicly listed construction companies, with a pan-India presence and a diversified portfolio spanning Buildings, Transportation, Water and Environment, Irrigation, Electrical (Transmission and Distribution), Mining, and Railways. What began as an entrepreneurial vision grew into an organisation that has contributed significantly to the nation's infrastructure development, creating employment opportunities for thousands and helping build the foundations of India's progress.

As Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Raju remained a guiding influence through the values on which he built the organisation. His belief in integrity, commitment, quality, trust and creating lasting value for stakeholders continues to be integral to NCC's ethos. His legacy lives on in the organisation's people, its projects across the country and its continued commitment to nation-building.

A multifaceted personality, Dr. Raju's accomplishments extended well beyond the world of business. An accomplished poet with an extraordinary devotion to Sri Sathya Sai Baba, he penned more than 25,000 poems on diverse subjects, including 42 volumes of over 24,000 versus dedicated only to Puttaparthi Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This remarkable literary accomplishment earned him a place in the Guinness World Records in 2008 for the largest single-volume book of poems on Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

In recognition of his distinguished contributions to industry and society, Dr. Raju was conferred the Padma Shri in 2010 under the Trade and Industry category by the Government of India. He was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Letters by Acharya Nagarjuna University in 2008 in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of learning and the promotion of human values. His many honours also included Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Builders' Association of India, the Hyderabad Management Association, the All India Manufacturers' Association and the Delhi Telugu Academy.

A deep commitment to social responsibility was another defining aspect of Dr. Raju's life and leadership. He believed that the purpose of enterprise extended beyond business success to improving lives and strengthening communities. This philosophy found expression in NCC's social initiatives and the work of NCC Foundation, which supports programmes in education, healthcare, skill development, rural development and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Raju's life exemplified the enduring power of vision, humility, perseverance and human values. From building an enterprise that has become a significant contributor to India's infrastructure sector to achieving extraordinary distinction as a poet and dedicating himself to the welfare of society, he leaves behind a legacy that transcends professional achievements.

The Board of Directors, management and employees of NCC Limited extend their heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, friends and well-wishers. His passing is an irreparable loss to the NCC family and to the many people whose lives he touched through his leadership, generosity and compassion.

Dr. A.V.S. Raju will be remembered with profound respect, gratitude and affection. His vision laid the foundation of NCC, his values shaped its character, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to build with purpose, serve with humility and contribute meaningfully to society.

The final respects to Dr. A.V.S. Raju garu may be paid at the Plot # 168/A, Road # 10, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, from 10:00 a.m. onwards on 14 October 2026.