Tribute
	Giriraj Rao, Executive Director, Gandhi Foundation USA: a pioneer a pathfinder and an exemplary Humanities Hero

By Mahadev Desai,


Giriraj Rao, the retired principal investigator in the Corporate Research and Development at the Coca Cola Company and Executive Director of the Gandhi Foundation of USA, passed away at the North Fulton Regional Hospital on April 1, 2008. He was 83.

Giriraj (affectionately called Giribhai by many) was a rare human being. He was a man of exceptional intellect, wit and wisdom. He was a jovial, genial extrovert, an immensely entertaining raconteur and a bon vivant, with endearing laughter. An engaging conversationalist, he enjoyed the cut and thrust of conversation on far ranging subjects. He was a friend, philosopher, guide and a mentor to many. He was also known for his generosity. Giribhai supported many worthy causes, without seeking publicity or material gains in return.


Starting from humble roots in India, Mr. Rao attained high-ranking position in the world of Coca-Cola. He was born in Madras (Chennai), on June 21, 1924 into a Hindu family. After graduating from the High School, he earned a scholarship to study at the Madras Presidency College where he completed his B.Sc. (Chem.) with First Class. In 1942, he joined the ‘Quit-India’ movement and endured “lathi charge’ when one of the Students Meetings that he participated in was dispersed by the Police. In 1943, the newly created Board of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, appointed Mr. Rao as a Senior Research Assistant. During this period, he received Masters Degree in Biochemistry. In 1946 he set sail to University of California, Berkeley, when he was selected by Government of India, out of nearly 5000 applicants, for advanced technical training in Food Technology. He received his second Masters Degree in Food Technology at Berkeley from President Harry Truman.


During his stay in San Francisco, Mr. Rao participated in many debates and discussions on India’s struggle for independence and other social issues and became the primary spoke person on Indian culture. There he married Carolina Aquino. In 1949, he returned to India to fulfill his contract with the Government of Madras as well as to seek a new beginning. Unhappy with his prospects in India, he returned to the USA to join his wife.

Like many immigrants, he had to initially struggle for a living. However, when he got a chance to climb the corporate ladder, Mr. Rao was the first Indian-American in charge of technical services at Mission Dry Corporation, Los Angeles, which manufactured beverage concentrates and was again the first person of Indian origin responsible for the manufacture of carbonated soft drinks in cans. While at Mission, he traveled to other parts of the USA and Canada, which helped him to become a pioneer in the soft drink technology. In 1956, he was appointed by the Minute Maid, California operations.

In 1959, the Coca-Cola Company acquired Minute Maid Company and Giribhai never looked for another job since then. He was by then a most accomplished flavorist and soft-drink technologist. During the 31 years of his service, the Coca-Cola Corporation afforded Mr. Rao an opportunity to see the world, become a pioneer in the progress of soft drinks and essential oils manufacturing all over the world. His visit to India in 1970, as a technical representative of the Coca Cola Corporation led to improvements in the processing of food products, coffee and soft drinks in India. His visit to China in 1991 elevated the credibility of an Indian-American Technologist even for the Chinese.

After retiring from the Coca-Cola Corporation, he plunged headlong into voluntary work. It is difficult to encapsulate concisely the Associations he has represented, the Awards he has won, and the projects that he has funded. He was Executive Vice-President of IACA (1986); Chairman of the Board, IACA (1989); President, Asia-Pacific American Council of Georgia, APAC (1989); Trustee, National Federation of Indian Associations, NFIA (1992). He served on the Georgia Human Relations Commission; in Interfaith Coalition and on King’s Holiday Commission. He was the first Indian community leader to participate in International Cultural Parade, representing 79 countries, in downtown Atlanta and to attend Inter-Faith Conference with the theme ‘Many colors-Many Cultures', which subsequently led to founding of Inter-Faith Coalition of Metro Atlanta. He also participated in 4th of July parades. He was proud to be an American citizen and was fiercely loyal to this country.

Giribhai revered Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. all his life. He was a Co- Founder of the Gandhi Foundation of USA in 1998. He galvanized others, particularly the members of the Gandhi Task Force into increasing the awareness of Gandhi in the US. In 1995, he spearheaded a three-week exhibition on Gandhi at the State Capitol of Georgia. In the same year, he played a lead role in setting up of Gandhi Room at the India Cultural and Religious Center, Smyrna, Georgia, dedication of which was done by Ms. Coretta Scott King. He was also involved in refurbishing the Gandhi Room at the Freedom Hall, at the MLK Historic Site He was a pioneer in helping facilitate the installation and dedication of the first ever life-size bronze Gandhi Statue in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site on January 24, 1998-a hallowed venue where Gandhi and Dr. King’s birth anniversaries and India’s Republic Day are celebrated each year.

The Foundation under Giribhai’s stewardship truly became more mainstream, where he sought to build new bridges to foster closer ties with other communities. He firmly believed in reaching out and diligently championed human rights and dignity. He was a champion of inclusion for all people and unwavering in his love and commitment to the message of peace and non-violence. In so doing, he served the great causes that both of these apostles of peace embraced. He had the privilege and honor to be a part of the delegation that attended the celebration of life ceremony of Coretta Scott King. He also played a big role in Mayor Franklin’s efforts to secure the King papers for Atlanta.

Giribhai’s immense contribution in building bridges did not go unnoticed. The Friends of Sweet Auburn conferred a well-deserved Award to Mr. Rao during the "Legends, Heroes and Heroines" recognition luncheon on May 17, 2006. In the same year, NFIA bestowed Mr.Rao with 2006 ‘Community Service’ Award. He featured as one of the exemplary community activist-‘grassroots folks doing extraordinary things’ in Carolyn Millers‘s photographic exhibit ,”Bridges: Human connections” at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts in March 2007. And on May 10, 2007, he was one of the ten ‘Humanities Heroes’ and the first Asian American to receive the prestigious ‘Governor’s Award in humanities’ from Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue. And he was over the moon, when on October 21 last year, when on behalf of the Gandhi Foundation of USA, he presented delicate pashmina (Kashmiri) shawl to His Holiness Dalai Lama, His Holiness reciprocated by presenting a ‘khata’(Tibetan ceremonial scarf) to him !.However, Mr. Rao, cherished most the "Certificate of Civil Merit" awarded by Government of India for his efforts in supplying life saving medicines such as Thyroid tablets, injectable Adrenalin in Oil and Pituitary extract during World War II while he was at the Presidency College, Madras.

Mr. Rao took immense pride in Tamil culture. He made it possible for the singing of the Tamil song “Santhi Nilava Vendum” by Bharatiyar at the King Center, at the Rotunda of the Capitol Building of the State of Georgia, at Gandhi related celebrations and also at Sweet Auburn Festival. He also played a big role in collaboration of the Gandhi Foundation of USA and the Rialto Center, in staging of dance-dramas ‘Gajamukha’ and ‘Chandalika’, respectively.

More than a half century’s journey in this country made it possible for Mr. Rao to meet in person many dignitaries including US Presidents; Harry S.Truman; Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan; Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. All these contacts, friendships and public speaking at schools and colleges about India, Gandhi and King, helped him lead an active and fulfilling life even after his retirement. Indefatigable and zesty Giribhai always had Gandhi on his mind, so he kept on dreaming about enhancing the role of the Gandhi Foundation of USA, by establishing a Gandhi Center, and making Carter Center, King Center, and Gandhi Center into a ‘peace-triangle’, at the historic Sweet Auburn Avenue.

Giribhai, a larger than life figure will be deeply loved and greatly missed. We grieve this profound loss and offer our heartfelt sympathy and support to his bereaved wife Elena, stepdaughter Alisa and his sons Matthew and Shawn. Giribhai was a caring and loving husband and father, immensely proud and supportive of his family. He brought much joy to his former wife Carolina and after re-marriage to Elena.

As we go forward, we will pick up his torch and strive to keep his legacy alive. Giribhai, we thank you for being there for us and for a noble life well lived. You truly made a difference. May your soul live in peace!