Born in a small village in India, Raju’s grandmother, who had no education, felt education was the key to growth and opportunity. She made certain Raju’s father got the education she did not receive. Her passion for ensuring her children received their education enabled Raju to get a double master’s degree in speech & hearing and in business. Raju’s dreams were encouraged by his family and one year following his degrees he set out for America – where his 30-year career as a Speech-Language Pathologist and businessman began. In 1996, after moving from Michigan to Indianapolis, Raju started his first job as a Speech Pathologist in Kokomo, Indiana. Raju’s direct professional, business and community service endeavors cultivated into changes that have benefited every single Indiana Hoosier.
Becoming an ultimate leader in healthcare, Raju helped thousands with speech, language, swallowing, cognitive and hearing difficulties. As a resident in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, Raju has continually served the communities he loves so dearly. Raju’s keen business talent and vision expanded growth in Indiana astronomically with partnerships and management of hotel franchises; international corporation expansions with foreign direct investment; numerous philanthropic successes; and community interest creating better health care, safer schools and positive revenue investments of over $500 million. As Sr Advisor for India at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, he cultivated relationships that resulted into thousands of jobs. As the Founder and President of the Indiana India Business Council, he has helped further build the economic bridge between Indiana and India. Raju believes deeply in this vision of life being better for everyone and going big is Raju’s forte!
In 2003 Raju joined the Republican Party. In 2004, after graduating from the Indiana Leadership Forum, Raju served the Indiana Republican Party in numerous capacities. He has been a Precinct Committeeman and a valuable volunteer in numerous city, state and federal campaigns. Since 2018 he has served as the Treasurer of the Hamilton County Republican Party. In addition, Raju participated in several state and national conventions as an elected delegate, to include the 2016 National Convention. Raju’s vision is driven by his firm belief that the Constitution should be honored, valued and upheld; leaders should serve the people; people should be free from government intrusion; taxes should not be wasted; children are our future; and our veterans and military should always be supported. These beliefs have been Raju’s drive in his vision – a driving vision which now leads Raju to want to give back even more!
Raju’s local achievements and community impact over the last 30 years led to his receiving numerous accolades and recognitions. His passion led to him being a two-time recipient of the prestigious Indiana distinguished service award known as the Sagamore of the Wabash – one given to him by Former Governor and Vice-President, Mike Pence in 2015, and the other from Governor Eric J. Holcomb in 2017. In 2022 Raju was presented with The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joseph R. Biden.
Raju lives in Carmel with his wife, Dr. Prasanna Chinthala, a Geriatric Psychiatrist, their son, Anoop, a medical student at IU School of Medicine, and their dog, Snowball, a mini–American Eskimo.
