Andhra Pradesh - Nellore   

Rich tributes paid to Jyothirao Phule

In fond remembrance: In-charge Collector M. Girijasankar addressing a meeting in connection with Jyothirao Phule’s death anniversary in Kadapa.

NELLORE: Rich tributes were paid to social reformer Jyothirao Phule on the occasion of his 118th death anniversary on Friday.

At a programme organised at Town Hall in the city, Information and Public Relations Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy garlanded the portrait of Phule and paid tributes to the great leader.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said Jyothirao Phule was a great social reformer who fought for social justice during 19th century and asked the youth to emulate him. The State government has allocated Rs. 896 crore for BC welfare and it was decided to reimburse scholarships worth about Rs. 5,06.46 crore to students during the year 2008-09.

Government has also decided to construct 300 hostels for girl students who are pursuing higher education, he said. Later, the Minister distributed commendation certificates to ten employees who were doing extraordinary services in welfare hostels, and Rs. 500 cash awards to the hostel inmates, who scored more than 500 marks in SSC last year and were doing intermediate.

Zilla Parishad Chairman Kakani Goverdhan Reddy, MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy, Collector K. Ramgopal, BC Welfare Officer Eswaraiah and others attended the programme.

Kadapa Special Correspondent adds:

Congress MLC Shaik Hussain said that he would demand inclusion of Phule’s life history in the syllabus in the Legislative Council session next month.

Phule, a messiah of Backward Classes, not only strived for their upliftment but opened schools exclusively for women and promoted widow marriages, he said at a meeting in Kalakshetram.

The MLC said the social reformer wished that every person should become a social engineer. As part of efforts to promote literacy among women, he educated his wife and made her a teacher.

In-charge Collector M. Girijasankar said BCs were provided hostel facility and scholarships. He assured action against hostel wardens who do not reside at their place of posting.

Kadapa Mayor P. Ravindranath Reddy said the State Government was implementing various schemes for the welfare of BCs. Stating that Kadapa city has 3,700 self-help groups, he urged women to join them and hasten their economic progress.

District BC Welfare Officer P. Nageswara Reddy said the Government allocated Rs. 896 crore for the welfare of BC students in the current year. The leaders garlanded a portrait of Phule.

Zilla Parishad CEO Venkataswamy, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Chenchanna, Executive Director of BC Corporation Rajender, leaders of BC organisations A. Mallikarjuna, Ramana, Munaiah, Yanadaiah, Ramachandraiah and BC students participated.

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