Celebrating the life of G.V.V. Rao, Ph.D.

Celebrating the life of G.V.V. Rao, Ph.D.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 13, 2026
WHEREAS, G.V.V. Rao, Ph.D., a distinguished engineer, founder of multiple spiritual and educational organizations, and a beloved member of the Ashburn community, died on September 10, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a native of Gunupur, Odisha, India, G.V.V. Rao earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Andhra University and a doctoral degree in water resources engineering from Montana State University; and
WHEREAS, G.V.V. Rao devoted his career to supporting prestigious organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and the Asian Development Bank, contributing to infrastructure and development projects across 40 countries; and
WHEREAS, G.V.V. Rao led his local Toastmasters International and was a member of the NAACP and the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington; and
WHEREAS, G.V.V. Rao founded Balavikas of Fairfax, an organization dedicated to fostering the spiritual growth of young people, and launched the Professional College Entrance Education and Development (PROCEED) Project, an initiative to provide mentorship to low-income students in India; and
WHEREAS, G.V.V. Rao established the Virtual Classroom Project in Visakhapatnam, India, helping students in rural areas gain better access to teachers and educational resources; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his service, Andhra University honored G.V.V. Rao by creating the Dr. G.V.V. Rao Young Engineer Dreamer Awards; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, G.V.V. Rao was a devoted disciple of the Ramakrishna Mission; and
WHEREAS, G.V.V. Rao will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Suryakumari; his children, Sarada, Uma, Prithvi, Vishwanath, and Radhika, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of G.V.V. Rao, Ph.D., a treasured member of the Ashburn community whose guidance, kindness, and compassion touched countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of G.V.V. Rao, Ph.D., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.