Amara Raja made a humble beginning in 1985 when our Founder Dr Ramachandra Naidu Galla launched his first business enterprise, ‘Amara Raja Power Systems Private Limited’. Dr Galla had just returned from the USA, intent on making a difference in an underdeveloped area of his home district, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, by facilitating modern development. Besides business objectives, Dr Galla firmly believed entrepreneurs shared a societal responsibility for empowering underprivileged people and promoting social goals. Therefore, he established the first manufacturing facility and office in the remote Karakambadi village, 12 km from the town of Tirupati. At that time, infrastructure for establishing an advanced technology-based manufacturing facility was almost non-existent. Today, this facility is recognized as one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturing locations for advanced lead-acid battery systems, providing direct employment to 16000-plus people and several thousands more indirectly. All of this was accomplished by offering opportunities to the local youth, investing in their training and partnering with native communities. Given his legendary foresight, Dr Galla believed the community, its people and the environment were the organisation’s foremost stakeholders.

Dr. Ramachandra N. Galla

Founder Chairman

The Early Years
Dr R N Galla was born in Petamitta, a small village in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. He studied in an elementary school up to the 5th Standard. Later, in secondary school, he walked seven miles daily. In this tough environment, there was no guidance or support, limited resources and minimal opportunities.

But these challenging formative years taught him the power of perseverance. Soon, young Galla realized he could create a milestone for his village – by becoming its first youth to pass out from school and obtain higher education. The early approach of converting adversity into an opportunity to achieve an objective emerged as Dr Galla’s standard approach even in his professional life.

Amara Raja’s journey as an organization has reflected some of Dr Galla’s voyage. His humble upbringing in a farmer’s family taught him many invaluable lessons. When Dr Galla returned home to his agricultural roots in Andhra Pradesh in the mid-1980s, he set up two entities. One, Amara Raja Power Systems Ltd and later Amara Raja Batteries with limited investments and few people.

Amara Raja’s journey as an organization has reflected some of Dr Galla’s voyage. His humble upbringing in a farmer’s family taught him many invaluable lessons. When Dr Galla returned home to his agricultural roots in Andhra Pradesh in the mid-1980s, he set up two entities. One, Amara Raja Power Systems Ltd and later Amara Raja Batteries with limited investments and few people. Decades down the line, the Amara Raja Group straddles the production of lead-acid batteries (AMARON), power conversion products, sheet metal products, precision components, plastic molding, electronic manufacturing services, Infrastructure Development, industrial services, food processing to Media and Entertainment. Amara Raja Batteries Ltd (ARBL) emerged as a pioneer in many ways, carving out a leadership position in the Indian battery industry which today is a renowned Energy and Mobility Business. Dr Galla laid the perfect foundation for Amara Raja, building an institution that is poised to chart a new course and expand its horizons. The Amara Raja Group has now has expanded into a large conglomerate touching millions of lives...

Selfless, Values-driven Life
Dr Galla believes the culture of an organization resides in the minds of its people and is reflected in their beliefs and values, which is evident in the day-to-day behaviour. Based on this belief, The Amara Raja Way® is a guiding principle for all employees. The Amara Raja Way® denotes five core values – Innovation, Excellence, Entrepreneurship, Experiences, and Responsibility. These are symbolically equated with the five natural elements – Space, Wind, Fire, Water and Earth – as embedded in the corporate logo.

Through innovative engineering, research and design, Dr Galla steered the growth of Amara Raja via partnerships with leading global organisations. He is committed to the latest-generation technologies by developing and manufacturing globally competitive, customer-focused products of world-class quality while introducing them into relevant markets responsibly.

A staunch believer in giving back to society, Dr Galla established the Rajanna Trust that works towards education, skill development, rural development, health and management of water. The Trust strives to ensure fair and equitable participation of rural households in national development. By building better amenities for rural people, it promotes inclusive growth and inspires non-migratory living in the region.

Throughout his life, Dr Galla has remained committed to social activities in three major spheres: Village Development and Infrastructure; Education and Skilling; Environment. Accordingly, he has launched myriad initiatives in these areas. Village development initiatives include the construction of roads, rainwater storage tanks, modern communication facilities and a host of other programs/activities. In education and skilling, two schools, a college and a Skill Development Centre have been constructed to provide quality education to children and skilling people from surrounding villages, apart from allied development initiatives. Dr Galla’s commitment to the environment has led to numerous social forestry programs, the development of green belts, water harvesting and energy conservation measures, to name just a few.

After passing on the baton as Chairman, Dr Galla is currently devoting his twilight years to fulfilling varied commitments to local communities and society at large via the Rajanna Trust. He continues working painstakingly through the Trust to uplift the neighbouring villages by providing amenities such as water for irrigation, road connectivity, other essential infrastructure, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and more.
As Mahatma Gandhi asserted: “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” Dr R N Galla lives by this dictum, always believes in walking the talk and will continue doing so.

The seeds for the Amara Raja Group were sown by Dr Ramachandra N Galla who at the age of 50 made the bold decision to become an entrepreneur. Smt Aruna Kumari Galla, his wife stood with him on this courageous move and was ably supported by their children Dr Ramadevi Gourineni and Mr Jayadev Galla, the co-founders.