Uppuluri Rama Sastry

Sri Rama Sastry garu was born in Pedakonduru, Andhra Pradesh, India in the year 1905. In 1921, he joined the Indian Freedom movement and closely followed the preachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He spent his entire life following Gandhian principles and strongly believed the concept of development and self-reliance of villages. India is a country of a million villages, most of them lacking the most basic facilities such as water, health care, road connectivity, electricity and tele-communications. Hence he initiated a concept of "Grama Swarajyam" which means "Independence of Villages"

Sastry garu passed away in August 1995 at the age of 91. He survived by his wife (late Suseelamma 1913-1997), 6 sons and 2 daughters.