A tapestry of memories

Vatsavayi Rama Krishnam Raju

Former Scientist DRDO, Founder President Action Water India

This page is dedicated to my dad Sri V. R. K Raju garu who was a former Scientist at DRDO. He worked in DIPAS, DRDL, Field Laboratories, NSTL during his service at DRDO. After working for nearly 27 years, his love to serve the society forced him to take voluntary retirement and return to Bhimavaram. He set up an NGO , Action Water India with support from Action Water UK. He holds a Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences from Andhra University and a Masters Degree in Psychology from Delhi University.

The first graduate perhaps  from his village in West Godavari District  from Andhra University through DNR College, Bhimavaram was all set to explore the world all by himself went to Madras (Now Chennai) in 1963. He pleasantly used to recall that most of his early days travel was by Circar express. The same train which has carried many youth  including the popular Cine actors of those days from Narsapur, Bhimavaram, Gudivada and Vijayawada.

He wanted to be in the Defence forces but he was rejected in the final round at Bangalore and started looking for an alternate career. It was then that he got into DRDO labs at Madras and later shifted to NSTL, Visakhapatnam.

 

Passionate traveller and his love for mountains trekking took him to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI). As a trekking aficionado he was fortunate to meet Mr Tenzing Norgay during one of his trips. He used to refer him ‘Sherpa’. He often spoke to us about his stunts in the beautiful valleys and snow peaked mountains. Every time he went on duty, we felt as though he yearned to have a glimpse of them and was just waiting for GO Green signal. His infectious enthusiasm towards research, guiding and counselling the needy and support to society in whatever he could has caught me as well as my siblings. Very recently,  the old books and records decked in our house caught my attention when I saw his publications  cited by very important publications. Until then, I never saw my dad beyond a dad. It was amazing to see him filled with energy 30 to 50 years ago and contributing his best in whatever he was positioned in.

Receiving his medal for his diploma in moutaineering
He was the most frequent visitor to Leh-Ladakh-Siachen for official work.

He used to visit the Himalayan Ranges more often than his native village on official duty.

And for study of soldier stress conditions at high altitudes in the harsh climatic and field conditions. He often said, he felt like the Himalayas were calling him every now and then.

Publications (known List)

  • Sleep patterns at an altitude of 3,500 m W Selvamurthy, VRK Raju, S Ranganathan, KS Hegde and US Ray Int J Biometeorol, 30(2): 123-135, 1986.
    • Available at  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02189452
  • Study of cardiopulmonary function on exposure to high altitude. II. Effects of prolonged stay at 3,500 to 4,000 meters and reversal on return to sea level. Kamat SR, Rao TL, Sarma BS, Venkataraman C, Raju VR.
     DOI:10.1164/arrd.1972.106.3.414
  • Oxygen Debt and Rise of Blood Lactate During Submaximal Exercise in Relation to Physical Fitness and Endurance, G.M Verma, K. V Mani, G.P Dimri, N. Srinivasulu, S. Ranganathan, V. R. K Raju,  Defence Science Journal,Vol 19, No 2,  115-120,  April, 1969.

VRS from DRDO in 1988.

Setting up of Action Water India, an NGO

He has set up Action Water India at Bhimavaram. Several projects like bore wells, over head tanks, toilets in government schools, water drums distribution in government schools, medical camps, Water tankers for Municipalities were provided in West and East Godavari Districts through this organisation.

Action Water Part 1 Inauguration of Action Water tankers
Action Water Part 2 News about Action Water airing in west country channel, UK

Action Water Part 4 News about Action Water airing in west country channel, UK

Action Water Part 5 News about Action Water airing in west country channel, UK

Action Water Part 6: News about Action Water airing in west country channel, UK

NOTE: I will be updating this page every now and then to put as much information as possible from the albums and old tapes available. If you have an objection on the videos or content posted, please let me know and help me correct.