ONGCian Challapilla Narasimha Rao has been posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his act of gallantry in ensuring the safety of lives and protecting the larger interest of the Energy Maharatna during the major fore at Uran. His supreme sacrifice will remain an inspirational narrative in the annals of the Indian Energy industry.

Late Challapilla Narasimha Rao (7 January 1965 – 3 September 2019)

On 3 September 2019, Mr C N Rao rushed to the site after receiving report of a strong hydrocarbon smell near De-mineralized Water Plant in Uran Plant. Nation First – was the thought in the mind. Three CISF colleagues were already present there. Undermining his personal safety, he acted swiftly to mitigate risk to the lives of the people and property of one of the biggest Hydrocarbon processing facilities of ONGC. Unfortunately, while Mr C N Rao along with three CISF soldiers were addressing the problem, a fire broke out. The fire proved fatal to the brave energy soldiers.

The communication of the President of India’s decision of awarding
Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) to C N Rao for gallant sacrifice for national cause

Late Mr Challapilla Narasimha Rao, General Manager (Production), was born in Kuddigam Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. After completing initial schooling from St Joseph High school Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, he completed his engineering degree from KREC Surathkal (1985-1989) in Mechanical engineering and did his Masters in Human Resource from IGNOU.

He was an avid footballer, joyful, caring and a wonderful personality. His pleasant nature helped him to gel with all levels of employees. Eagerness to learn new things and enthusiasm towards physical fitness was his quality.

He Joined ONGC in 1991 at Uran. After spending 14 years in mastering the Plant operations as one of the best Production Engineers, he was transferred to Mehsana Asset in 2004. At Mehsana Asset, he was assigned the work of well services, where he continued to leave his footprints. In 2011, he got transferred to Rajahmundry Asset, where he was posted in Crisis Management Team for four years. His inquisitiveness to learn new things and quick-learning abilities forced another transfer to Tripura Asset at Agartala and he was posted as In-charge technical services.

In the year 2018, he got an opportunity to come back at Uran plant, to the place where he had started his journey in ONGC. Due to his dynamic nature, work attitude and leadership quality he was given the important assignment of Resident Plant Superintendent (RPS).

The commitment of Mr Rao and exceptional work abilities earned him many accolades and merit awards in the company. To name a few, he received CMD group awards as a member of Corporate Crisis Management team for commendable contribution in controlling Blow-out in & around Well Balol #45 & Well SK#12, merit award for speedy inspection of safe operations of 248 wells post GAIL pipeline blast and many more.

He is survived by his parents Mr C S N Murthy (84 years) and Mrs Suryakantam (79 years), wife Mrs Padmalata and two sons Shivapraveen (24 years) and Satya Praneet (19 years).

Though Mr C N Rao is not among us today, ONGC will always remember the great soul as one of the finest production engineers and a daredevil energy soldier.