A quiet crusader for socio-economic democracy, Venkata Bhusura Jagannadha Rao Chelikani, has worked for over 2 decades to shape the resident welfare associations in India into what they are now coming to be accepted as the fourth tier of self-governance in Indian polity.His long association with the UNESCO, Paris for well over three decades exposed him to the social realities of the world. He chose to dedicate his life post-retirement, in setting up and running several civil society organisations in Hyderabad including the International Foundation of Human Development (IFHD), the Standing Committee of Tarnaka Resident Welfare Associations (SCOTRWA), the Federation of AP Senior Citizens Organisations and the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations. After his studies in Developmental Economics from the Institute of Research and Training for Harmonious Development (IRFED), 1968, Paris, Mr Rao VBJ Chelikani has obtained 2 doctorates: in French Constitutional Law from Sorbonne University, Paris and International Relations and Diplomacy from the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy. Earlier, he studied History, Political Science and Economics at Andhra University and Law from Osmania University.He received the 1996 Mahatma Gandhi Medal from UNESCO, the Honorary Citizen award and Key to the City conferred by the Mayor of Caserta, Italy in 1990, the President Bourguiba Medal from the Prime Minister of Tunisia in 1984, the NCVB Medal for Promotion of Voluntarism, Bulgaria in 1981 and the National Honour for Services Rendered to the Pan-African Youth from the President of Ghana, Capt. Jerry Rowlings in 1979.