Shri. Vayalar Ravi, veteran Congress leader, was born on June 4, 1937, at Vayalar, as the son of Shri. M.K. Krishnan.

A post graduate with BL Degree, Shri. Vayalar Ravi holds claim as the Founder President of Kerala Students Union. He was the Convenor of Youth Congress Committee and later General Secretary, Indian Youth Congress.

Shri. Vayalar Ravi was elected to Lok Sabha in 1971, and again in 1977.
Getting elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1982 and 1987 from the Shertallai Constituency, Shri. Ravi was the Minister for Home Affairs from 24..5..1982 to 24..5..1986, in the Ministry headed by Shri. K. Karunakaran.

In a long career spanning four decades, Shri. Ravi had held several prestigious positions, including serving as Working Committee Member of the Indian National Congress.

Shri. Ravi was also a member of the Indian Delegation to the United Nations in 1986. At present, he is a Member of the Rajya Sabha.
Sri. Ravi assumed charge as Union Minister for Overseas Indian affairs on 29th January, 2006.

Smt. Mercy Ravi, Member of Legislative Assembly in the XI KLA, is his wife and they have one son and two daughters.