CBI can refer to:

Places and installations[link]

• Cape Breton Island, part of Nova Scotia, Canada
• Center for Biomedical Imaging, a research facility of Boston University Medical Center
• Center for Bio-Image Informatics, a research center at the University of California, Santa Barbara
• Central Bukidnon Institute, a secondary school in the Philippines
• China Burma India Theater of World War II
• Community Boating, Inc, a non-profit community boating center on the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts
• Cosmic Background Imager, a telescope located in the Chilean Andes

Radio[link]

• CBI (AM), radio station broadcast in Canada
• CBI-FM, radio station broadcast in Canada

Companies and groups[link]

• Center for the Promotion of Imports, an agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland
• Central Bank of India
• Central Bank of Iran
• Central Bank of Iraq
• Central Bank of Ireland
• Central Bureau of Investigation, a federal agency of India
• Charles Babbage Institute, a research center at the University of Minnesota
• Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, a large engineering and construction company
• Commonwealth Builders, Inc., forerunner established in 1934 of the Washington Commonwealth Federation
• Confederation of British Industry, an organisation promoting United Kingdom businesses

Other uses[link]

• California Birth Index, a database on birthrates in California
• Caribbean Basin Initiative, a United States economic recovery program
• College Basketball Invitational, an American college basketball tournament
• College Bowl, an American quiz tournament
• Content-based instruction, an approach to second-language teaching
• California Bureau of Investigation, a fictionalized state police force featured predominantly in the TV series The Mentalist
• California Bureau of Investigation, former name of the California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigation
• computer-based interlocking, for railways, especially in UK

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Narendra Modi નરેન્દ્ર મોદી
Chief Minister of Gujarat
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 October 2001
Governor	Dr. Kamla Beniwal
Preceded by	Keshubhai Patel
Constituency	Maninagar
Personal details
Born	(1950-09-17) 17 September 1950 (age 61) Vadnagar, Gujarat, India
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Residence	Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Alma mater	Gujarat University[1]
Religion	Hinduism
Website	Narendra Modi
As of 9 March, 2009 Source: Government of Gujarat

Narendra Damodardas Modi (Gujarati: નરેન્દ્ર મોદી; born 17 September 1950^[1]) is the current Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat. Born in a middle class family in Vadnagar, he was the third of six children born to Damodardas Mulchand Modi and his wife Heeraben.^[2] He has been a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since childhood also having interest in politics since adolescence. He holds a master's degree in political science. In 1998, he was chosen by L. K. Advani, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to direct the election campaign in Gujarat as well as Himachal Pradesh.

He became Chief Minister of Gujarat in October 2001, promoted to the office at a time when his predecessor Keshubhai Patel had resigned, following the defeat of BJP in the by-elections. His tenure as chief minister of Gujarat began on 7 October 2001, and he is the longest serving Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat.^[3] In July 2007 he became the longest serving Chief Minister in Gujarat's history when he had been in power for 2063 days continuously.^[4] He was elected again for a third term^[5] on 23 December 2007 in the state elections, which he had cast as a "referendum on his rule".^[6][7]

Personal life[link]

Modi was born in a middle class family in Vadnagar in Mehsana district of what was then Bombay State, India.^[8] During the Indo-Pak war in the mid sixties, even as a young boy, he volunteered to serve the soldiers in transit at railway stations.^[9] As a young man, he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student organisation and was involved in the anti-corruption Nav Nirmāṇ ("Reconstruction") Movement. After working as a full time organiser for the organisation, he was later nominated as its representative in the Bharatiya Janata Party.^[10] As a teenager Modi used to run a tea stall with his brother.^[11] Modi completed his schooling in Vadnagar. He earned a masters degree in political science from Gujarat University.^[12]

Early activism and politics[link]

Modi was a pracharak (campaigner) in the RSS during his university years.^[12][13] He took up the challenging task of energising the party cadres in right earnest. In partnership with Shankersinh Vaghela, Modi set about creating a strong cadre base in Gujarat. In the initial period, Vaghela was seen as a mass leader, while Modi was recognised as a master strategist.

The party started gaining political mileage and formed a coalition government at the centre in April 1990. This partnership fell apart within a few months, but the BJP came to power with a two-thirds majority on its own in Gujarat in 1995. During this period, Modi was entrusted with the responsibility of organising two crucial national events, the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra (a political rally through India on a converted Toyota van) of L.K. Advani and a similar march from Kanyakumari (the southernmost part of India) to Kashmir in the North. After the exit of Shankarsingh Vaghela from the BJP, Keshubhai Patel was made Chief Minister while Narendra Modi was sent to New Delhi as a General Secretary of the Party.

In 1995, Modi was appointed the National Secretary of the party and given the charge of five major states in India. In 1998, he was promoted as the General Secretary (Organization), a post he held until October 2001. In 2001, Narendra Modi was chosen by the party to be the Chief Minister of Gujarat after the removal of chief minister Keshubhai Patel.

Tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat[link]

Personality[link]

Modi is known for leading a frugal lifestyle. He has a personal staff of just three. He is known to be a workaholic Chief Minister and an introvert.^[14] He ordered the demolition of many Hindu temples that were built without proper government sanction which earned him the ire of VHP^[11] He is a crowd puller as a speaker. Modi has also tried to turn his image from an Hindu Nationalist politician to an image of able administrator. He wears business suits and is improving his command over the English language.^[15]

Awards and recognitions[link]

Modi was awarded Gujarat Ratna by Shri Poona Gujarati Bandhu Samaj at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on celebration of centenary year.^[16]

Development of Gujarat[link]

As a Chief Minister, Modi started various 'yojanas' or plans. This includes:

• Panchamrut Yojana,^[17][18][19] a five-pronged strategy for an integrated development of the state,
• Sujalam Sufalam, a scheme to create a grid of water resources in Gujarat in an innovative step towards water conservation and its appropriate utilisation.
• Krishi Mahotsav – agricultural research labs for the land
• Chiranjeevi Yojana – To reduce infant mortality rate
• Matru Vandana – Providing preventive and curative services under the Reproductive and Child Health Programme
• Beti Bachao – Campaign against female infanticide to improve sex ratio
• Jyotigram Yojana – Provide electricity to every village
• Karmayogi Abhiyan – To educate and train government employees
• Kanya Kelavani Yojana – To encourage female literacy and education
• Balbhog Yojana – Midday meal scheme for students to encourage school attendance from poor backgrounds.^[20]

Vibrant Gujarat[link]

Vibrant Gujarat is a biennial Global Investors' Summit held by the Government of Gujarat in Gujarat, India. The event is aimed at bringing together business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion makers; the summit is advertised as a platform to understand and explore business opportunities in the State of Gujarat. the event has been held continuously since 2003.

Gujarat earthquake[link]

The biggest challenge which he had to face when he took over as the Chief Minister, was the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas affected by the massive Gujarat Earthquake of January 2001.

Gujarat violence[link]

On 27 February 2002, a train was burned by a Muslim mob in the town of Godhra leading to 59 deaths, most of them Hindu pilgrims and activists returning from the holy city of Ayodhya.^[21] Riots broke out in the state after it was suspected to be caused by Muslims, leading to 1180 deaths, many of them Muslims. Modi administration was accused of inaction over the riots and for encouraging them.^[15] As an aftermath of the riots, there were calls for Modi to resign from his position as chief minister of Gujarat. The opposition parties stalled the national parliament over the issue. Even Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP), allies of the BJP, asked for Modi's resignation.^[22][23] Modi submitted his resignation to the Governor and recommended the dissolution of the 10th Gujarat Legislative Assembly.^[24][25] In the following state re-elections the BJP, led by Modi, won 127 seats in the 182-member assembly.

In April 2009, the Supreme Court of India appointed a special team of investigators to look into the role Modi had played in the alleged anti-Muslim conspiracy.^[15] The team was appointed in response to the complaint of zakia Jafri, the widow of ex-Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was murdered in the riots.^[26] In December 2010, a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) in its report to the Supreme Court seeking answers pertaining to the Ehsan Jafri case, submitted that they had found no evidence against Narendra Modi.^[27]

However in February 2011, the Times of India reported that a confidential report from the SIT indicted Modi on several counts of alleged complicity in the Gujarat riots of 2002.^[28] Most other sources have noted that the SIT report does not indict Modi for the riots due to lack of evidence.^[29][30] The Indian Express too said the report did not find any Modi involvement in the violence, though it did accuse him of watering down the seriousness of the situation.^[31] According to the Hindu, the report not only found that Modi tried to water down the seriousness of the situation, but Modi also implicitly justified the killings of Muslims, and failed to condemn the attacks on them.^[32] The Bharatiya Janata Party demanded an investigation into the publication of the report, claiming the leak was politically motivated.^[33]

The apex court refused to pass any order on the case and referred it to the Ahmedabad magistrate for a decision.^[34] In April 2012, a Special Investigation Team found absolved Modi of any involvement in the Gulberg massacre, arguably the worst episode of the riots.^[35]. On 7 May 2012, a Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae, Raju Ramachandran observed that Modi can be prosecuted under sections 153 A (1) (a) & (b), 153 B (1), 166 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code for promoting enmity among different groups during the 2002 Gujarat riots.^[36]. However the amicus report has been criticised by the Special Investigation Team for relying heavily on the testimony of a perjurer^[37].

2007 elections[link]

Modi made a speech at Mangrol in which he justified the alleged fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, During the election campaign In response to Sonia Gandhi's speech calling him a "merchant of death",^[38] and referred to Sohrabuddin's killing. For this speech the Election Commission of India, a constitutional body governing election proceedings in India, cautioned Modi as it considered it as indulging in an activity which may aggravate existing differences between different communities.^[39] Modi won the election and continued his post as the Chief Minister Of Gujarat, he won with majority of votes of 122 seats out of 182 total assembly seats.^[40]

Conflicts with Governor Kamla Beniwal[link]

On 25 August 2011 Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal appointed Justice R A Mehta to the post of Lokyukta of Gujarat, a critical anti-corruption post that had been lying vacant since 2003. Justice R A Mehta was recommended for the post by the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in June. Since Governor Beniwal had made this decision without consulting and getting the approval of the chief minister and his council of ministers, the action angered Narendra Modi and his BJP party.^[41]

This marked the beginning of a strained relationship between Modi and the Governor. On 25 September 2011, Narendra Modi accused the Governor of running a parallel government in the state supported by the Congress. He demanded that she be recalled back.^[42] He also later accused her of delaying the progress of bills by not passing them.

The decision of the governor in the appointment of R A Mehta was challenged in the high court by the Modi government. The two member high court bench gave a split verdict on 10 October 2011. Later, a third member upheld the governor's decision in January 2012.^[43]

Foreign visits[link]

As the Chief Minister of the Gujarat State, to attract foreign investment in the state, Narendra Modi has made visits to foreign countries, including China and Singapore.

Narendra Modi made his first China visit in 2007 to invite investors Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit,^[44] and second visit in November 2011. One month after the second visit to China, the Chinese Government released 13 Diamond traders from India jailed by the Shenzhen Customs, which the Chief Minister described as the consequece of his diplomatic efforts and statesmanship.^[45]

In 2005 Narendra Modi was denied of diplomatic visa to the United States, in addition to this visa denial, he was also revoked from his already granted B-1/B-2 visa.^[46]

Sadbhavna Mission[link]

In the late 2011-early 2012 Narandra Modi practised a series of fasts in the name of Sadbhavna Mission. The mission started on 17 September 2011 in Ahmedabad with 3 day fast with a view to strengthen the atmosphere of peace, unity and harmony in the state. He observed total 36 fasts in 26 districts, 8 cities including Ahmedabad.^[47]

Views and opinions[link]

Modi's position on terrorism[link]

On 18 July 2006 Modi delivered a speech criticising Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "for his reluctance to revive anti-terror legislations" like the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He asked the Centre to empower states to invoke tougher laws in the wake of the blasts in Mumbai.^[48] Quoting Modi:

Narendra Modi has frequently commented that if the BJP came to power at the Centre, they will honour the 2004 Supreme Court judgement to hang Afzal Guru.^[49] Afzal was convicted of terrorism in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack in 2004 by the Supreme Court of India and is in Tihar Jail.^[50]

On account of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, on Thursday 27 November, Narendra Modi held a meeting to discuss waterfront security along the coastline.^[51] The meeting decided to ask the Central government to urgently sanction the following:

• Increase the number of police stations along the coast to 50 (from 10)
• Increase the number of police to 1500 from 250
• 30 modern high-speed surveillance boats.

The 30 coastal boats, under construction at Goa's shipbuilding yard, will have the capacity to run at the speed of 25 nautical miles per hour. These are being manufactured under the Centre's Rs 58-crore grant for coastal security.^[51]

Views on criticism of Modi's governance[link]

In 2003, when Narendra Modi was asked about the conflict of his dreams for Gujarat's future with international criticism of his past activities, Modi said,^[52]

Modi's decision to link Gujarat's violence with the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US drew criticism from some observers, who contrasted it with the then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's unpleasant apology for Gujarat in London a year ago.^[52] Modi responded to this criticism by The Guardian,^[52]

See also[link]

• Chief Minister
• Gujarat
• Bhartiya Janata Party

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Narendra Modi

Official

• @narendramodi Official & verified Twitter Account
• Narendra Modi Official website
• Narendra Modi Personal blog

Other

• Profile at BBC News

v t e Current Chief Ministers of Indian states (list)     Andhra Pradesh: Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy Arunachal Pradesh: Nabam Tuki Assam: Tarun Gogoi Bihar: Nitish Kumar Chhattisgarh: Raman Singh Goa: Manohar Parrikar Gujarat: Narendra Modi Haryana: Bhupinder Singh Hooda Himachal Pradesh: Prem Kumar Dhumal Jammu and Kashmir: Omar Abdullah Jharkhand: Arjun Munda Karnataka: D. V. Sadananda Gowda Kerala: Oommen Chandy Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chauhan Maharashtra: Prithviraj Chavan Manipur: Okram Ibobi Singh Meghalaya: Mukul Sangma Mizoram: Pu Lalthanhawla Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio Orissa: Naveen Patnaik Punjab: Parkash Singh Badal Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot Sikkim: Pawan Kumar Chamling Tamil Nadu: Jayalalithaa Tripura: Manik Sarkar Uttar Pradesh: Akhilesh Yadav Uttarakhand: Vijay Bahuguna West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee Delhi: Sheila Dikshit Pondicherry: N. Rangaswamy

Sajjan Kumar (born 23 September 1945) is an Indian politician belonging to the ruling Indian National Congress party.^[1] He was a member of 14th Lok Sabha representing Outer Delhi constituency.

In 1977, sworn as Delhi Councillor by prominent social activist Guru Radha Kishan, congressman Sajjan Kumar is a mass leader of high following in Delhi. He was first elected to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in 1977 when only few congressman were able to manage a win in Delhi. Sajjan Kumar is one of the prime accused in the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots. Eye-witnesses have testified how Sajjan Kumar incited mobs to kill Sikhs in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination.^[2] In 2012, the Central Bureau of Investigation prosecutor told a Delhi court that riots targeting the Sikhs had the "patronage" of Sajjan Kumar.^[3][4]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website

Nimmagadda Prasad
Born	(1961-10-11) October 11, 1961 (age 50) Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh India
Residence	Hyderabad, India
Education	Delhi University Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad
Occupation	Vice Chairman, Mylan India labs Chairman, MAA TV
Religion	Hindu

Nimmagadda Prasad is an Indian industrialist and serial entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh, India. He is known for turning around sick companies into highly successful business ventures especially in the Pharmaceutical and Television businesses.^[1] On 15 May 2012, Prasad was arrested by India's Central Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Prasad is named as the 12th accused among 74 in the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the CBI in August last against Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy and others..^[2]

Education[link]

Prasad obtained his B.Sc. degree from Babu Jagjivanram College and then his M.Sc from the University of Delhi, followed by a post graduate diploma in management from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad.^[3]

VANPIC[link]

In 2008, Prasad initiated an infrastructure project under the umbrella of VANPIC for the development of a world class port-based integrated industrial corridor in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. The venture is expected to play a catalyst role in the transformation of the hitherto agri-based Guntur and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh into major industrial hubs. Identifying potential growth opportunities.

VANPIC illegal land acquisitions & investments case and arrests[link]

In the ongoing CBI investigation on the disproportionate assets of Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, Nimagadda Prasad is accused no 12 in the chargesheet filed. As per the CBI, Prasad invested in various firms of Jagan - to the tune of Rs 500 cr. In its charge-sheet, the CBI had stated that quid pro quo investments were made in a number of companies floated by the Kadapa MP by those who benefited from the largesse doled out by the then Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy government.[1] Prasad allegedly invested about `850 crore in Jagan Mohan Reddy’s companies, of which after withdrawal, he still holds `500 crores. Further, many of the promoters in the companies floated by Jagan and Prasad are said to be the same. VANPIC (Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Port and Industrial Corridor) was initially envisaged as a joint venture between the Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Ras Al Khaimah. Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) was holding 51% of the stake. Matrix Enport Holdings, promoted by Nimmagadda Prasad, was brought in as the Indian partner of RAK. The stake of RAK was eventually reduced to 26%.

It is alleged that the then Ports and Infrastructure Minister, Mopidevi Venkataramana, conspired to acquire 24,000 acres of land to VANPIC project. This information was not shared with Cabinet or Public. Apparently, the minister used his clout to acquire land to the extent of 13000 acres in Guntur and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh, allegedly in violation of Norms. ^[4]

Further, several concessions were extended to VANPIC under the Stamps and Registration Act. The CBI’s case is that these favours were granted to Prasad in lieu of his investment in Jagan’s companies. The CBI had raided the offices of Prasad, during the months of April and May 2012, as part of its probe into the sources of Jagan’s investments. He was arrested by CBI on 15 May 2012, and was kept on remand at Chanchalguda Jail. ^[5]

Matrix Laboratories[link]

Prasad started his career as a management trainee in Indian Molasses Company in Delhi (an associate of United Molasses Company, UK) in 1984 and was promoted to salesman at Rhone Poulenc Chemicals and then to Vorin Laboratories as general manager of marketing in 1993, from his continuous efforts was elevated to managing director in 1995. When Indian pharma market leader Ranbaxy Ltd. acquired Vorin, Prasad was re-designated Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.^[6]

Prasad acquired Medicorp Technologies in May 2003, Vorin Labs in September 2003, Vera Laboratories, Fine Drugs & Chemicals the same year 2004 and a controlling stake in Concord Biotech in 2006. Staying focused on the domestic pharma space, Prasad set his eyes on the global pharma-scape by acquiring Belgium-based Docpharma in June 2005, a controlling stake in China’s McChem Group. He also floated a JV South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare in September 2005, and picked 43% stake in Switzerland’s Explora Laboratories SA the same year.

In 2006, Matrix Laboratories aligned with Mylan Laboratories, USA, the world’s third largest Generic Pharmaceutical Company at present. Prasad, during the largest transaction of his life, sold off his stake in Matrix Labs retaining 5% he gained by about Rs. 570 crore after Mylan Laboratories of the U.S. announced that it is picking up 71.5% stake in Matrix laboratories.laboratories.^[7]

Further posts[link]

Prasad at TeachAIDS launch in 2010

Prasad is on the Executive Board of the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, besides his association with several academic, research and business organizations.^[8]

See also[link]

• Nimmagadda Foundation

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• [1]
• [2]
• TiE Event
• Executive Profile
• Who?
• LVPEI Nimmagadda Foundation
• Humane Side
• [3]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nimmagadda Prasad

• Matrix Laboratories
• VANPIC Project
• Nimmagadda Foundation

Akkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasada Rao (Telugu: అక్కినేని లక్ష్మీవరప్రసాదరావు) (17 January 1908 – 22 June 1994), known popularly as L. V. Prasad was an Indian film producer, actor, director, cinematographer and businessman. He was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and is the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest Award for films in India.

The Prasad Studios, Prasads IMAX and L V Prasad Eye Institute were founded by L. V. Prasad's group.^[1] L.V.Prasad was the chairman of the 27th National Film Awards Selection Committee held at New Delhi in 1980. He was the chairman of the All India Selection Panel of Indian Panorama section for the 8th International Film Festival of India from January 3 to 17, 1981.^[2]

Prasad was also the chairman of the International Jury for Children’s Film Festival held in November 1981 at Madras. He was elected as the President of The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce for the year 1982-83.

He was the Member of the Board of Film Censors from October 1980 to February 1987. L.V.Prasad was Chairman of the Studio Owners, Council, a wing of Film Federation of India. The Government of India released a Commemorative postage stamp in his memory in 2006. ^[3]

Early life[link]

Lakshmi Varaprasada Rao was born on 17 January in the year 1908 as the second son to Akkineni Sriramulu and Basavamma in a remote village, Somavarapadu, in Eluru Taluk in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India. Born into an agricultural family Prasad was a pampered child, very intelligent but never interested in studies.^[4]

Prasad was drawn by the drums of the touring theatres and drama troupes. Old and worn out film prints used to be shown in ramshackle tents and Prasad used to regularly rush to watch them. He also used to do small roles in the local dramas regularly. This was the passion that drove his life – the passion for acting and the moving image.

At the age of 17, in the year 1924, he got married to his maternal uncle’s daughter Soundarya Manoharamma. Soon they had a baby girl. Prasad’s father was finding the going tough due to mounting debts and was forced to declare insolvency, at which point Prasad looked to a cinema career.

Career[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2012)

Prasad looked to work at Kohinoor Studios in Dadar, but he spoke neither Hindi nor English and was aware that this would be an obstacle. He obtained temporary work as a cleaner in a tailor's shop, which provided him with accommodation.

Subsequently he worked as an errand boy for Venus Film Company, a business that in fact neither produced any films nor paid him. However, he did meet someone who was able to find him work promoting a carnival, enticing people to visit the exhibition. He then joined India Pictures as an errand boy where Akthar Nawaz cast him in a bit-part role in the silent film Star of the East. The film was never released. Moti, the sister of Dharilal, his acquaintance from Venus Film Company, then obtained a small role for him in India's first "talkie", Alam Ara. This was released in 1931. Other minor roles followed. These films were made by Imperial Films, through which he met H. M. Reddy. Reddy gave Prasad a small role in Kalidas, the first Tamil "talkie", and subsequently in Baktha Prahlada, the first Telugu "talkie". It was around this time that Prasad made contact with his family and then returned home to visit them. He then returned to Bombay with his wife and daughter, where his sons, Anand and Ramesh, were born. ^[5]

Prasad by chance got a role as an assistant director in Kamar-Al–Zaman, directed by Ali Shah. This was also the time that his name was shortened from Akkineni Lakshmi Varaprasad Rao to L. V. Prasad, this being a consequence of a clerk finding the name too long to use. The shortened name stuck with him thereafter.Tantra Subrahmanyam assigned him a job of a production supervisor and assistant director for the film Kashta Jeevi which took him to Bombay again. The film was abandoned after shooting three reels. Prasad was in no mood to leave now and he got a job as assistant director in a few other films. During this time using his connections with Prithviraj Kapoor he joined Prithvi Theatres and satisfied his acting passion. It was during this time that he met Raj Kapoor, the hero of his first Hindi production Sharada. Though L.V.Prasad was now comfortable the yearning to achieve greater heights made him restless.

In 1943 he got the opportunity to take on the responsibility of assistant director for Gruha Pravesam. Due to circumstances he became the director of the film and then he was also chosen as the lead actor of the film! Gruha Pravesam, released in 1946 was one of the finest films of the forties and went on to become a classic of the period. After this K. S. Prakasa Rao offered Prasad an important role in Drohi. During this time Ramabrahmam was facing difficulty in finishing his film ‘Palnatti Yuddham’ due to ill health and he chose Prasad to do justice to this film. After this in 1949, Prasad directed Mana Desam and introduced N.T.Rama Rao, later to become a legend in Telugu cinema, in a minor role.^[6]

In 1950 Vijaya Pictures released their first film ‘Shavukaru’ establishing L.V.Prasad as a director. N.T.Rama Rao became a lead actor in Shavukkaru and Janaki the heroine, climbed to fame to become known as ‘Shavukar Janaki’. Samsaram released in the same year brought together the two legends of the Telugu film industry as brothers – N.T.Rama Rao and A. Nageswara Rao in a social drama which created records wherever it was released. The film provided a model for later film makers, a model and theme relevant and popular amongst film makers even today. After this success chased him. He directed some memorable films in the fifties all of them known for their drama and fine humour. Rani a Hindi film took him to Bombay again and after that Jupiter Films engaged L.V.Prasad to direct their Magnum Opus Manohara starring the legendary Sivaji Ganesan in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. This film elevated Sivaji Ganesan to the greatest heights of stardom.^[7]

But L.V.Prasad had more goals to achieve. In 1955 he assigned D. Yoganand to direct his first production ‘Ilavelpu’ in Telugu under the banner Lakshmi Productions. L.V.Prasad established Prasad Productions soon after this in 1956. His second son Ramesh returned from the United States after obtaining his B.E.M.S degree and established Prasad Film Labs in Chennai in 1974. Prasad Productions made many memorable box office hits including Milan, Khilona, Sasural and Ek Duje Ke Liye. L.V.Prasad contributed generously towards the establishment of L.V.Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad.

Awards[link]

National Film Awards

• Dadasaheb Phalke Award - 1982

Nandi Awards

• Raghupathi Venkaiah Award - 1980

Film Fare Awards

• Filmfare Award for Best Film - Khilona

Other Awards

• Raja Sandow Memorial Award for the year 1978-79 by the then Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M. G. Ramachandran at Madras
• Udyog Patra Award by the Honorable Vice President of India, Mr. M.Hidayatullah at New Delhi on 20 December 1980
• Ramnath Award -82 by the Cine Technicians’ Association of South India on 5 June 1982
• Kalatapasvi Award by Telugu cinema weekly magazine Sitaara on 13 March 1983 at Hyderabad
• Kala Prapoorna award was conferred on him by Chancellor, Andhra University at Waltair on 21 December 1985
• Andhra Ratna award was conferred on L.V.Prasad by Andhra Pradesh Kalavedhika on 27 March 1987 at Hyderabad

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• L. V. Prasad at the Internet Movie Database
• http://www.lvprasad.org/lvpstamp/pdf/bollyspace.pdf
• http://prasadgroup.org/downloads/connect19.pdf
• http://www.prasadz.com/links/group.htm
• http://www.lvprasad.org/ Official website
• http://www.prasadgroup.org/ Prasad Group website