Kishan Reddy mourns passing of NCC founder A.V.S. Raju
Synopsis
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy paid tribute to A.V.S. Raju, founder of Nagarjuna Construction Company and Padma Shri recipient, expressing grief over his passing and extending condolences to his family in a heartfelt Telugu post.
Key Takeaways
Kishan Reddy , Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana president, mourned the passing of A.V.S.
Raju on October 14, 2026 .
Raju — full name Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju — was the founder of Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) , a major Indian infrastructure firm.
Raju was a recipient of the Padma Shri , one of India's highest civilian honours, for his contributions to the construction sector.
The minister posted his condolences in Telugu , reflecting his regional roots and his role as BJP Telangana state president .
No policy or parliamentary developments are expected from this tribute.
A pillar of India's infrastructure industry has fallen. Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy expressed grief on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, over the passing of A.V.S. Raju — full name Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju — founder of Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) and recipient of the Padma Shri award.
Posting in Telugu, Kishan Reddy wrote: 'నాగార్జున కన్స్ట్రక్షన్ కంపెనీ (NCC) వ్యవస్థాపకులు, పద్మశ్రీ అవార్డు గ్రహీత శ్రీ ఏ.వి.ఎస్. రాజు గారు ఇక లేరని తెలిసి విచారం వ్యక్తం చేస్తున్నాను.' — 'I express deep grief upon learning of the passing of Padma Shri A.V.S. Raju, founder of Nagarjuna Construction Company.' He offered prayers for peace to the departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, closing with the words 'ఓం శాంతి' — 'Om Shanti.'
Who was A.V.S. Raju
A.V.S. Raju built Nagarjuna Construction Company into one of India's prominent infrastructure enterprises, with the firm's footprint spanning roads, buildings, water supply projects, and large-scale civil works across the country. His contributions to the construction sector were recognised by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, one of the nation's highest civilian honours. His passing marks the end of a founding generation of Indian infrastructure entrepreneurs who shaped the country's built landscape across decades.
A minister's tribute in Telugu
Kishan Reddy's choice to post in Telugu — his native language and that of the Telugu-speaking community — carries quiet significance. As BJP Telangana state president alongside his Union Cabinet role, the minister's condolences carry both national weight and deep regional resonance. The tribute reflects a broader practice among senior ministers of publicly acknowledging industrialists and Padma awardees whose work contributed to national development. No policy or parliamentary action is linked to the tribute.
Point of View
Particularly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Kishan Reddy's bilingual public profile — English in national settings, Telugu for regional resonance — reflects a carefully managed political identity as both a Union minister and a state party president. The acknowledgement of a Padma Shri industrialist also fits a broader pattern of the ruling establishment recognising private-sector nation-builders as co-authors of India's development story. At a moment when NCC's legacy in infrastructure remains visible across the country, the condolence reinforces the political value of honouring icons of the Telugu business world.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was A.V.S. Raju of Nagarjuna Construction Company?
A.V.S. Raju , full name Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju, was the founder of Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) , one of India's major infrastructure firms. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to the construction sector.
What is Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC)?
Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) is a prominent Indian infrastructure enterprise founded by A.V.S. Raju . The company has been involved in large-scale projects including roads, buildings, and water supply works across India.
Why did Kishan Reddy post a tribute to A.V.S. Raju?
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy expressed grief over the passing of A.V.S. Raju , a Padma Shri awardee and infrastructure pioneer, offering condolences to his family. The minister posted the tribute in Telugu, reflecting both his regional roots and his role as BJP Telangana state president .
What is the Padma Shri award?
The Padma Shri is one of India's highest civilian honours, awarded by the Government of India to recognise distinguished service and contributions in various fields, including industry and commerce.
What is G. Kishan Reddy's role in BJP Telangana?
G. Kishan Reddy serves as the BJP Telangana state president in addition to his role as Union Minister of Coal and Mines in the Government of India.
