Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapati Raju

Maharaja Pusapati Vijayrama Gajapati Raju D.Litt. was an Indian parliamentarian and philanthropist. He was the eldest son of Maharaja Alak Narayanadev Gajapathi Raju and Vidyavathi Devi^[1] of Vizianagaram estate in Andhra Pradesh.^[2] He was born at Phool Bagh Palace in Vizianagaram.

Pusapati Vijayrama Gajapati Raju
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 1977–1984
Preceded by	Karri Narayana Rao
Succeeded by	Pusapati Ananda Gajapati Raju
Constituency	Bobbili
In office 1971–1977
Preceded by	Tenneti Viswanadham
Succeeded by	Dronamraju Satyanarayana
Constituency	Visakhapatnam
In office 1957–1962
Preceded by	Gam Malludora Lanka Sundaram
Succeeded by	Pusapati Vijaya Ananda Gajapathi Raju
Constituency	Visakhapatnam
Personal details
Born	(1924-05-02)2 May 1924 Vizianagaram, Vizianagaram estate (now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died	14 November 1995(1995-11-14) (aged 71)
Political party	Socialist Party Indian National Congress
Children	6, including Pusapati Ananda Gajapati Raju and Ashok Gajapathi Raju
Residence(s)	Phool Bagh Royal Palace, Fort Vizianagaram

He purchased the Korukonda Palace and the 1,000 acres (4.0 km²) of land surrounding it and donated it to the Government of India for the establishment of the Sainik School in 1961–1962. It is one of the 20 Sainik Schools established in India and the only one in Andhra Pradesh.^[3]

He was elected as a member of the Madras and Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assemblies during 1952–1956 and 1956–1957 respectively. He again became a member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly between 1960 and 1971 and served as a Minister in the State Council of Ministers and held various important portfolios. He was elected to the second and fifth Lok Sabha from Visakhapatnam parliamentary constituency in 1957–1960 and 1971–1977 respectively. He was also elected to the sixth and seventh Lok Sabha from Bobbili parliamentary constituency in 1977–1980 and 1980–1984 respectively.^[4]

Raju served as the president of the Andhra Cricket Association.

Mewar coat of arms

Branches of the Sisodia Clan

Coat of Arms of Vijayanagaram

See also

• Bobbili Lok Sabha Constituency
• Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha Constituency