The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : He made Mantapampalli a model village

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 15, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

He made Mantapampalli a model village

K. Lakshmi

P. Ramana Reddy is involved in social work

Ramana Reddy — Photo: Shaju John

CHENNAI: He was instrumental in turning a tiny village in Andhra Pradesh into an ideal village, and has contributed extensively towards education, with the Ramakrishna Math Ashrama in Chennai as one of the beneficiaries.

P. Ramana Reddy, trustee, Vijaya Group of Hospitals, who is over 80, is still actively involved in social work. Mantapampalli, a village in Andhra Pradesh that lacked basic infrastructure five decades ago, is now a model village, thanks to his initiatives. "My dream of rural reconstruction started during my college days in Presidency College in 1942. Perhaps, exposure to the subject of rural economics in college instilled the desire in me."

The village was set on its path of progress after he took up agriculture as his profession. With the co-operation of local volunteers and State assistance, he made an effort to set up basic infrastructure there. He formed a Sarvodaya Samaj in the village. Mr. Reddy contributed to the formation of the local administration, and the creation of various amenities such as street lighting. Education, medical health, animal husbandry and co-operative institutions were also developed in the village. He also started the Grama Sri Trust to promote development activities.

His initiative won accolades from eminent personalities, including then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, and was lauded as being inspirational. He is also president of the managing committee of the Ramakrishna Math Ashrama in T. Nagar.

Mr. Reddy will be honoured with the Wisdom International K.V.S. Sarath Babu Memorial Award this year for being the outstanding social worker in Chennai. Mr. Reddy can be contacted at the Vijaya Health Centre at 24814261 or 24814263.

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