PV Narasimha Rao Birth Anniversary: PM Modi Pays Tribute In Mann Ki Baat; 10 Things To Know About India's Former PM

Rao is regarded as the "Father of Indian Economic Reforms", as he led a major economic transformation and is responsible for turning India into a free-market.

NEW DELHI, INDIA: (FILES) In this file photo taken, 04 November 1997, Former Indian prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao steps out of his car upon arrival at court in New Delhi (RAVEENDRAN/AFP via Getty Images)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in his Mann Ki Baat address and remembered him as one of the most experienced leaders of India, who always raised his voice against injustice and led the country through a critical phase. It is to be noted that Sunday marks the commencement of birth centenary year of the veteran Congress leader. Also Read | 'Befitting Reply Has Been Given To Those Coveting Our Territories': PM Modi In Mann Ki Baat Here are some things to know about the former PM:

• Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao served as the 9^th prime minister of India between 1991 and 1996.
• He was the second Indian PM from a non-Hindi speaking region and the first from Southern India.
• He is regarded as the "Father of Indian Economic Reforms", as he led a major economic transformation and is responsible for turning India into a free-market.
• Rao dismantled the Licence Raj, as this came under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, reversing the socialist policies of Rajiv Gandhi's government.

• With Rao's mandate, Dr. Manmohan Singh launched India's globalisation angle of the reforms that implemented the International Monetary Fund (IMF) policies to rescue the almost bankrupt nation from economic collapse
• Rao was also referred to as Chanakya, as he could steer major economic legislation, despite heading a minority government.
• He had a wide variety of interests including literature and computer software (including computer programming.
• He was the first PM of India to head a minority government for a full term.
• He was a multi-lingual leader and spoke 17 languages, reports have claimed.
• He died of cardiac arrest in the year 2004 and was cremated in Hyderabad.

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