Meka Rangaiah Appa Rao shortly M. R. Appa Rao (21 March 1915 – 31 January 2003) was Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Minister in Government of Andhra Pradesh, Member of Rajya Sabha.[1]
Meka Rangaiah Appa Rao | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 20 March 1981 - 2 April 1982 | |
| Constituency | Andhra Pradesh |
| Member of Legislative Assembly Andhra Pradesh | |
| In office 1956 - 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Andhra Pradesh Assembly Created |
| Succeeded by | Paladugu Venkata Rao |
| Constituency | Nuzvid |
| Member of Legislative Assembly Andhra state | |
| In office 1953 - 1956 | |
| Preceded by | Andhra State Assembly Created |
| Succeeded by | Andhra Pradesh Assembly Created |
| Constituency | Nuzvid |
| Member of Legislative Assembly Madras State | |
| In office 1952 - 1953 | |
| Preceded by | First Election |
| Succeeded by | Andhra State Assembly Created |
| Constituency | Nuzvid |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 March 1915 Nuzvid, Krishna district |
| Died | 31 January 2003 (aged 87) |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Princess Sita Devi of Pithapuram (m. 1935 - div. 1943) |
Early life
editHe was the son of Meka Venkatadri Appa Rao, a Zamindar (landlord), and was born in a Velama family in Nuzvid, Krishna district. His father was the Raja of Vuyyur, Nuzvid and an Indian freedom activist having held thousands of acres of land under his control. He married Sita Devi, the maharani of Baroda. He was sometimes referred to as the Zamindar of Vuyyuru, as he stayed in the Vuyyuru estates in Nuzvid Zamindari.[2] Later, Prince Pratap Sinh Gaekwad married her, after she converted to Islam.[2]
Career
editAcademic
editRao was Chairman of Andhra Mahasabha in 1943 and translated and published the "Gita Govinda" in Telugu language.
He held the position of Vice Chancellor of Andhra University for two terms between 13 December 1974 and 12 December 1980.[3]
He has written Prajaswamika Socialism Pranalikalu (1980) and Bharateeya Chitrakala (1987) in Telugu language and Land Development Banks in Andhra Pradesh (1981) and Round the World (1981) in English.[4]
Political
editRao has entered politics and was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952 Madras State legislative assembly election from Nuzvid constituency.[5] He was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Nuzvid constituency in 1955 (then Andhra State),[6] 1962,[7] 1967[8] and 1972[9] as a member of Indian National Congress. He held the portfolio of Minister of Cultural Affairs in the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
He was member of Rajya Sabha in Indian Parliament from 20 March 1981 to 2 April 1982.[10]
Death and honours
editHe died on 31 January 2003.
The University college of Acharya Nagarjuna University at Nuzvid was named after him as Dr. M. R. Appa Row Campus.[11]
Awards
editHe was recipient of "Kala Prapoorna" from Andhra University in 1953.[12]
References
edit- ^ Appa Rao M. R., Luminaries of 20th Century, Part I, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 18.
- ^ a b "Meet Sita Devi, Who Converted To Islam, To Marry The Last Maharaja Of Baroda". News18. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Successive Vice Chancellors of Andhra University. Archived 25 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ List of Publications of Andhra University. Archived 30 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Statistical Report on General Election, 1951 to the Legislative Assembly of Madras.
- ^ Key Highlights of General Election, 1955 to the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh
- ^ Key Highlights of General Election, 1962 to the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh.
- ^ Key Highlights of General Election, 1967 to the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh.
- ^ Key Highlights of General Election, 1972 to the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh.
- ^ "Alphabetical List Of Former Members Of Rajya Sabha Since 1952". 164.100.47.5. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Dr. M.R. Appa Row Campus College, NUZVID | Admissions to 2017–2018 Academic Year". Indiastudychannel.com. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ Venkatadri Appa Rao, Meka (1893–1974), Luminaries of 20th Century, Part II, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 782.