Berhampur People: Dr. Kota Harinarayana

"The LCA Project is not about building an aircraft. It is about creating wealth for the country. If everything is brought from abroad how will you create jobs? We may have taken our time, but we have perfected it..." :Dr. Kota Harinarayana

Honoured with Padma Shree by the Government of India in 2002, Dr. Kota Harinarayana was born in Berhampur, Orissa, in 1943. He studied at City High School and Khallikote College in Berhampur before moving to BHU. He did his Ph.D. at IIT Bombay.
He was deputed to DRDO in 1985 and assumed charge as Director, ADE, Bangalore. He was appointed as LCA Programme Director in December 1985. During 1995 he was elevated as Distinguished Scientist by DRDO. As Programme Director and Chief Designer of Light Combat Aircraft, he successfully directed the project leading to flight testing and clearance for limited series production. Thanks to his efforts, India succeeded in developing a state-of-art, high technology fighter aircraft of world class.

He was awarded National Aeronautics Prize and FIE Foundation Award in 1996.He received the Dr. Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award for 2001. He received the DRDO Technology Leadership Award for 2001. He was honoured with Padma Shri by Government of India in 2002. He received Gujar Mal Modi Science foundation award for the year 2006. He was honoured with DRDO Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2007. He was conferred honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) by the Berhampur University. At present he is the Raja Ramanna Fellow at National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore. He was formerly Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad.