Rich tributes paid to Mandali in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: 'Padmasri' Kolakaluri Inoch, chairman, AP Sahitya Academy while participating in the 22nd death anniversary of Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao has described him as the Diviseema Gandhi and Telugujati Ratnam.

At a programme held at the Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati (CCVA) here on Friday, he said that MV Krishna Rao was a social philosopher and spread Gandhism in the rural areas by establishing Gandhi Kshetram at Avanigadda. He also encouraged arts and letters and organised the First World Telugu Conference in 1975.

Golla Narayana Rao, in his remarks, highlighted the ideal personality of MV Krishna Rao, who always served the poor and the downtrodden. Dr Mandali Buddha Prasad, former Minister and Deputy Speaker, recollected his childhood days and said how his father's ideology impacted his life throughout, not only in politics but also in social service. He said that he also learnt from him how to rise to the occasion during the natural calamities.

Dr E Shivanagi Reddy, CEO, CCVA spoke on the Evolution of Telugu Language, based on the early Telugu inscriptions as part of MV Krishna Rao memorial lecture. Dr GV Poornachand, secretary, Krishna District Writers Association, and Dr Gumma Samba Siva Rao, Literarian participated in the event.