Ponangipalli Venkata Ramana Rao
Management Consultant & Advisory Partner
Tact Consulting LLP | Nairobi, Kenya
Janam Bhumi:
Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India
Karma Bhumi:
Nairobi, Kenya & East African countries
Balancing Ledgers, Bridging Cultures
The ‘PVR’ Philosophy: “Leadership is about service and guiding others through values, clarity, and steadfast purpose.”
THE MAN
To walk into the future without losing sight of your roots is rare. Ponangipalli Venkata Ramana (PVR) Rao has lived that rare life. He believes in building a future while carrying a generation along with him, offering guidance, employment, and opportunity. He has achieved all that and more.
Born into a middle-class family in 1954, Rao’s earliest memories are stitched with simplicity, scarcity, and a fatherless childhood. He recalls growing up in a simple neighbourhood in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, where education in public schools with minimal facilities was the norm. Life tested him young, but he was determined to prevail through education. He graduated in Commerce from Andhra University and went on to become a Chartered Accountant at 22, a feat that reflected not only academic grit but also his larger aspiration: to become “big in life”.
He also became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and later a Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K) from the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya.
The corridors of public schools, modest neighbourhoods, and quiet Indian households had shaped a man who believed deeply in the power of values, community, and perseverance.
They continued to guide him as Rao moved from India to Kenya in 1981, initially taking up senior financial and management roles in India and in Nairobi, all the while building a reputation grounded in precision and ethics.
THE JOURNEY
The turning point in Rao’s journey came when, in 1992, he ventured into financial consultancy as an entrepreneur. He co-founded and continued running Tact Consulting LLP with his son, Swaroop.
In the decades that followed, Rao became a pillar for Indian businesses in East Africa, raising capital for Indian startups through Kenyan networks. He became the global ambassador of Indian expertise, and his consultancy firm continues to employ Indian professionals and support Indian businesses in establishing a foothold across East Africa.
Rao is a valuable diaspora champion who has been instrumental in cementing a global reputation for Indian chartered accountants in regulatory and business circles alike. Rao played a pivotal role as the Founder-Chairman of the Nairobi Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), helping to embed India’s professional ethos in East Africa’s financial fabric.
His standing as an ethical financier took a significant turn when he was appointed as an Honorary Member of Kenya’s Tax Appeals Tribunal – a rare role for someone of Indian origin and indicative of the trust he had built over the years. As an advocate of fairness, Rao spent six years helping resolve high-stake tax disputes. As an ambassador for inter-country relations, he fostered deeper cross-border understanding within Kenya’s financial regulatory system.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Rao lives by the belief that education and upbringing, rooted in human values of respect and discipline, are non-negotiable assets in one’s personal and professional journey.
What Rao has achieved in his life is a result of balancing his expertise and pragmatism with his human values and spirituality.
A devout follower of Sri Balaji, he co-founded the Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Temple in Nairobi, which has become a cultural and spiritual hub for the Indian diaspora. As the Chairman of both the Telugu Cultural Association of Kenya and the South Indian Cultural Society, he has played an instrumental role in shaping the cultural and professional diaspora identity.
Rao believes that helping others is a privilege and an honour. This belief has led his efforts to help over 100 Indian families relocate to Kenya by offering them employment, support, and stability. There is no expectation of any rewards in return. He says, “Service is the purpose of life; it is the rent we pay for living on the planet.” That conviction has not only shaped institutions but also lives.
THE LEGACY
The loss of a parent at a very young age can leave a profound impact. It also comes with lessons – in a rare kind of courage and determination. Rao witnessed his mother, Vijayalaxmi, take on the dual role of parent and provider with unmatched strength. Under her guidance, the children of the family blossomed into doctors, engineers, and chartered accountants as a testament to the family’s belief in education as a means of transformation.
The values he inherited from his mother now have been passed on to Rao’s own family. His household in Nairobi is anchored in love, humility, respect, faith, and service. The next generation is influenced by its Indian heritage and global upbringing.
Rao’s true legacy lies not only in being among Kenya’s elite group of licensed insolvency practitioners and finance consultants but also lies in his ability to connect people, cultures, and opportunities.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“As children we knew ‘India’, but little about ‘Bharat’. Now we have clarity that Bharat is our country, characterised by knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment with significant knowledge and cultural heritage. We know it as a country committed to global peace and technological advancement, a country with a growing population that is the strength and not a burden.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“My Indian upbringing and education are the greatest assets I possess, be it the success of my professional career or personal life. The values I carried with me to Kenya are what make me ‘Bharatiya’ no matter wherever I go.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“Our children imbibed the importance of human values of kindness, empathy, and respect for others. I believe children learn by observing, so we made sure they saw these values reflected in our actions and behaviour. As a result, their conduct has been widely appreciated.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“We believe in supporting our diaspora abroad and have helped several Indian investors establish their branches/businesses in East Africa. Our firm employs many Indians, and we continue to foster employment opportunities. I have carried India’s spirituality with me and channelled it into co-founding the Balaji Temple in Nairobi, promoting cultural harmony. For me, all these milestones represent Bharat’s spirit—resilience, unity, and service. My work bridges cultures and creates opportunities, reflecting the values I was raised with.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“I hope all Indians uphold the highest standards of patriotism and work toward building world-class infrastructure. I wish for unity among Indians—not division. Youth is the future of India, and so I tell them to be patriotic and contribute to India’s growth, because everyone benefits when India grows. My dream is for the Indian youth to lead with values, integrity, and vision—so that Bharat continues to rise with purpose and pride. Be proud to be Indian and do something so that the country can be proud of you.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
Childhood was filled with the aromas of ‘idli’, ‘dosa’, ‘pani puri’, and ‘phulkas’.
NOW
I still enjoy Indian food but have developed an appreciation for pizza, pasta, sushi, and rolls.
Sport Spirit
THEN
Cricket, badminton, tennis – it was an active life.
NOW
I mostly tap and swipe; hence, mobile gaming is the game.
Music Tastes
THEN
I grew up listening to Ghantasala, Suseela, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, and Manna Dey.
NOW
I still enjoy old Hindi movies, though the world is listening to Honey Singh and global pop on loop.
Holiday Life
THEN
It was simple, carefree trips to my maternal grandmother’s house and lots of family time.
NOW
Life has changed. Holidays are now spent in resorts or Airbnbs and foreign escapes.
Leisure Habits
THEN
I read books, watched classics, and played outside with friends.
NOW
I still follow my routine, but I must admit digital media and the binge-watching bug has bitten me like it has every one of us.
AKA
Ponangipalli Venkata Ramana Rao Management Consultant | Ramana Rao Advisory Partner | Ramana Rao Tact Consulting LLP | Management Consultant Ramana Rao
