The U.S.-based American Progressive Telugu Association (APTA) on Sunday distributed scholarships worth ₹1.5 crore to 1,000 meritorious students from the two Telugu-speaking States at the Nova educational group in Ibrahimpatnam mandal near here.
APTA members Madhu Dasari and A. Innaiah said the Association was started in 2008 to create a platform for Telugus who had migrated overseas and wanted to extend assistance to their native land. Ever since, the association had been taking up a series of programmes in education, health and other service activities.
The initiative that was started with the distribution of scholarships worth ₹4 lakh to 46 students had now been scaled up to ₹1.5 crore to 1,000 children, they said, adding that so far, the Association had extended financial aid worth ₹5 crore to students.
They said with support from the government, the association was ready to build an APTA Bhavan in each of the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana struck a chord with students by sharing some of his life’s experiences with them. He said though his parents were unlettered, he pursued studies up to post-graduation.
Turning down a job offer that came his way, he chose to work hard and scale greater heights in life.
As a result, “I have been able to generate direct employment for 50,000 people and for 2 lakh people indirectly,” he said.
He said nature provided equal opportunities to everybody but it was for the individuals to make good use of them. Minister for Power Kala Venkata Rao said hard work and focus on academics could help students shine in any field.
N. Sambasiva Rao, DGP, complimented the APTA members for their yeomen service to society. He said people like Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had conquered economic backwardness were a great source of inspiration.
Ministers P. Narayana and Manikyala Rao told the students that the gift of education was the best treasure.
Anakapalle MP Ananta Srinivas, MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, former Union Minister and YSR Congress leader Ummareddy Venkateswarlu, Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Telangana K. Lakshman and Krishna district Collector B. Lakshmikantham and a host of others participated in the event.
Merit students received scholarships from the VIP guests who urged them to make the best of this opportunity and carve a bright future for themselves. It was followed by a colourful cultural programme.
Nova College chairman M. S. Krishna Rao, Kapu Corporation Chairman Ch. Ramanjaneya, former Vijayawada Mayor and TDP leader Ratnabindu and others were present.
