Bala Koteswara Rao Gaddipati (Dr. G.B.K. Rao) Chairman & Managing Director – Pragati group of companies raogbk@pragatiresorts.com

Mission : To maximize contribution to ecological sustainability through conservation of biological resources. To develop and communicate the knowledge necessary for enhancing the conservation and management of biological resources for greater aesthetic, ecological, economic and recreational values.

Vision : To develop Pragati Resorts into a world-class eco-tourism destination and put India on the International eco-tourism map.

Professional Affiliations :

• Member – Industrial Advisory Committee, Government of Orissa
• Member – Confederation of Indian Industries
• Member - -American Chamber of Commerce
• Member – Hyderabad Management Association
• Member – Indo-German Chamber of Commerce
• Member – Institute of Metals
• Member – American Society for Metals

Grants and Awards

Dr. G.B.K. Rao receiving the Doctorate Award (Environment and Rural Development)
Dr. G.B.K. Rao receiving the Doctorate Award (Environment and Rural Development) from the hands of the Vice Chancellor, The Open International University for Complementary Medicines, Colombo, Srilanka on the 23rd September, 2007 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• Enrolled as “Member of The National Geographic Society” in Jan’2006 in recognition of this non-profit, scientific & educational organization chartered in 1888 for diffusing geographical knowledge & promoting research & exploration.
• Awarded a “Certificate of Achievement” by The Economist, Asia-Pacific on 31, Jan’ 2004 for emerging as an influential personality who forms opinions.