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India Today
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Nara Lokesh adopts two underprivileged Andhra kids, vows to fund their education
During the formal inauguration of a school in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh took a heartfelt step by adopting two underprivileged children who were forced to beg due to minister personally handed over admission forms to CH Penchalaiah and V Venkateshwarlu of VR School, ensuring them a path to education and a better the public at the event, Lokesh announced, 'I am personally adopting both of them, and I promise here before this gathering that I will take responsibility not just for their school education but also for their higher education.' Speaking at the event, he also announced that the government will hold Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings twice every year, on July 10 and in December, to give parents the opportunity to directly discuss their children's progress, understand what they're studying, and identify areas where they need outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening government schools 'from KG to PG.' 'We're giving your children uniforms on par with private schools. You've seen the bags and books we provided, even workbooks. We've ensured everything, right down to shoes, reaches your kids,' he said.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh reopens 150-year-old VR school in Nellore; Rs 15 crore support, 1,000 students enrolled
Minister Nara Lokesh with students TIRUPATI: The 150-year-old VR School in Nellore, which was closed in 2021, was formally reopened on Monday by the State Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister. Originally established by Sunku Narayana Swamy Chetty on 3 May 1875, the school has a rich legacy and was later supported by the 28th Venkatagiri Raja, V Rajagopala Krishna Yachendra Bahadur. The historic school had faced several turbulent phases and was shut down during the YSRCP regime in 2021. Now, under the TDP-led NDA government, the institution has been revived with an investment of Rs 15 crore, supported by the NCC Group under its CSR initiative. Renovated and upgraded to international standards, the VR School has now admitted close to 1,000 students from underprivileged sections of society. After inaugurating the school, HRD Minister Nara Lokesh visited the classrooms, interacted with the students and teaching staff, and also spent time at the playground. 'The legendary VR school has provided education to many stalwarts like former Vice president of India M Venkaiah Naidu, playback singer SP Balasubramanyam etc. Senior politicians like Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy had also studied at this very school,' Lokesh noted. Recalling that many had asked him about why he chose to head a difficult portfolio like education, Lokesh stated that it was his dream to transform school education in the state in a big way and listed out numerous initiatives launched by the AP govt to upgrade govt schools in the state to the standards of corporate schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo During the event, the HRD minister also felicitated Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, Devireddy Sudhakar Reddy and NCC Director Raju for supporting government schools under the P-4 initiative. Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including State Ministers Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, NMD Farooq, Narayana, and MLAs Vemireddy Prashanti Reddy, Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, among others.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Minister Narayana gets set to realise his promise to revive his Alma mater
The 150-year-old VR School in Nellore, which was closed down during the previous YSRCP regime, is all set to be reopened soon. It is also expected to be a birthday gift from Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Ponguru Narayana to his home district. Ever since he won the Nellore City Assembly constituency in the 2024 general elections and got into the State cabinet, the Minister has been focusing on reviving his Alma mater, where he not only studied, but also worked as a teacher in the past. Mr. Narayana, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, reiterated his resolve to get the modernisation work in progress completed at the earliest and get the school opened from the current academic year. Chequered history During the British regime, Sunku Narayanaswamy Chetty, headmaster of the Free Church Mission High School in Nellore, resigned owing to differences with the management and established this Hindu Anglo Vernacular School on May 3, 1875. After he stepped down in 1878 expressing inability, erstwhile Diwan of the Venkatagiri Rajah's Estates Haji Mohammad Rahimtullah, shouldered the responsibility, bought a huge chunk of land and donated it to the school. However, the issue came back to the proverbial square one after Mr. Rahimtullah also stepped down in 1886. V. Rajagopala Krishna Yachendra Bahadur, the 28th Raja of the Venkatagiri Samsthanam, provided a permanent corpus fund of ₹50,000, in recognition of which the school came to be known as Venkatagiri Rajah School. As the school came under the management of the politically powerful AC Subba Reddy family, internal bickerings within the clan led to a legal tussle. The TDP government in 2018 appointed a Special Officer to run the affairs, but the school was completely closed down during the ensuing YSRCP regime in 2021. Modernisation under way Mr. Narayana has mobilised funds to the tune of ₹15 crore from Nagarjuna Construction Company under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for modernising the school and setting up smart boards, science labs and sports infrastructure. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Narayana said the school would offer a ray of hope for children hailing from impoverished sections of society. He also proposes to provide breakfast, lunch and snacks to the students. The school is all set for inauguration by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu soon.
