Raghav Reddy

Brilliant, reticent, thoughtful and a gentleman (even at that age). These words epitomize Ponnaluru Raghava Reddy, as I remember him. He was a day scholar in Taxila house. His whole manner and bearing had a maturity and dignity that were beyond his years. He was an avid quizzer and excelled in academics and was a favorite of the teachers. Got to know him better when we travelled to school in the same car along with Surender, Rajan Krishna Murthy and Herman. We also lived in the same part of Secunderabad and sometimes met in the Railway Officers’ Club for a game of shuttle badminton.

Raghava graduated with a BTech in Electronics and Communications from IIT Kanpur. And then a Management Diploma from IIM Ahmedabad. He left for greener pastures in the US where he earned an MS in Computer Science from Rensselaer. He worked in the IT space with Westinghouse/Viacom/CBS and lived in Connecticut for many years. When I was visiting the US, he would drive up to New Jersey to meet up. He moved to Atlanta, GA in 2014. Sadly, he left us in 2016.

I am honoured to have this prized privilege to pay a tribute from my heart to this class-fellow, who walked upright, who was always respectful and affectionate to all of us who met him after school, who epitomized dignity in every sense of the word in letter and spirit, and always practiced that ‘regularity of his own conduct’ which instinctively evoked respect and admiration from the likes of us.

The Class of 1971 ISC pays homage to Raghava on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee ReUnion in Jan 2022, and cherishes his memory as an affectionate classmate, snatched away very early from their midst. Raghava’s parents live in Hyderabad while his wife and kids live in the USA.

- by Subbarao V Tipirneni

I was in 11A & 12A with Raghava Reddy. The term genius is thrown around a lot. In both my undergraduate/graduate studies as well as my professional career, I have interacted with very few people that I could say “that person is a genius”. In my book, Raghava Reddy is one. I was always in awe of his intelligence and his insights – especially when it came to problems in Maths & Physics. I used to wonder “how did he come up with that answer!!!”

I lost touch with him after school. Much, much later, around 2016 or so, I learnt that he had come down with a form of brain cancer and was undergoing treatment in Atlanta, where I live. In fact, he was staying barely 15 min from my house! Strange is fate! I was able to connect with him and went to visit. Clearly his health was deteriorating. We chatted for about an hour or so, and then I left. He passed away shortly thereafter. Glad that I could re-connect and sad that he is gone.

R.I.P, genius!

- by Nitin Dalvi

Raghava Reddy had probably the highest grade brain tumour called Glioblastoma Multiforme. It was situated in an inoperable area of the brain, met him in Atlanta a few months before his passing, like Nitin previously stated he was truly a genius.

- by Rajender Reddy

Heard a lot about Raghava Reddy's brilliance even in school. Never got to know him because he was in the A section.

- by Venkateshwararao Jr. Parsa

Those of us in 11A/12A can agree that Raghav’s brilliant mind was nicely wrapped in his quiet dignified demeanour. After his IIT/IIM our paths crossed on a few occasions when we both worked in TBL. I think he was assigned to World Bank then (83) .. His untimely demise is a huge loss

- by Vasu